Watch Paparazzi

Influencer GMK spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Spotted in what appears to be Monaco's urban outdoor landscape, influencer and collector GMK — known online as @gmk001 — was photographed wearing one of Audemars Piguet's most gemstone-intensive Royal Oak Chronograph references. The 38mm rose gold case sits cleanly against his wrist beneath a Moncler down jacket, the purple dial catching ambient light even in a candid shot. For a collector of GMK's calibre, this is not a trophy piece — it is a deliberate horological choice.

The watch in question is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph reference 26240OR.YY.1252OR.02, a 38mm case crafted entirely in 18k pink gold. Its most dramatic element is the bezel, set with baguette-cut amethysts that frame the octagonal case in AP's signature eight-bolt design. The dial reproduces the Grande Tapisserie pattern — AP's iconic hobnail guilloché — in a deep lavender-purple hue, matched by lacquered subsidiary counters at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The hands and applied indices are in polished pink gold. Powering the chronograph is Calibre 4401, AP's in-house integrated column-wheel flyback movement with a 70-hour power reserve, introduced in 2020 and widely regarded as one of the finest integrated chronograph movements in production.

From a collector perspective, gemstone Royal Oaks occupy a distinct niche. They are not purely jewellery watches — the movement specification is identical to the standard steel and gold chronograph references — yet their production volumes are substantially lower, and their secondary market behaviour reflects scarcity rather than speculation. The amethyst baguette bezel configuration in particular has attracted serious collector attention since its introduction, appearing in AP's Haute Joaillerie adjacency without fully departing from the sports-watch DNA.

GMK has built a substantial following around high-end automotive and horological content, with Monaco as a backdrop that contextualises the price points naturally. A $515,000 Audemars Piguet is consistent with the watches regularly featured on his platforms, and the Royal Oak Chronograph in this configuration represents a coherent collector statement rather than mere display.

On the market, this reference commands a significant premium over its already elevated retail price. Grey market values have been observed well above retail, reflecting both the gemstone content — amethyst baguettes in this quantity represent substantial material cost — and the limited availability through authorised dealers. For collectors seeking access, patience with AP's authorised network or a relationship with a trusted secondary dealer remains the most reliable path.