Rapper French Montana spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Rapper French Montana was recently photographed wearing an 18k rose gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Ref. 15402OR.ZZ.D003CR.01, a timepiece that has become synonymous with hip-hop and entertainment industry wealth. The Moroccan-American artist showcased the watch during a casual indoor appearance, with close-up photography highlighting the dial's elaborate jeweling. This particular configuration represents one of the most extravagant iterations of Audemars Piguet's most recognizable sports watch.

The Royal Oak Selfwinding Ref. 15402OR.ZZ.D003CR.01 is powered by Audemars Piguet's proprietary Caliber 3120, an automatic movement that operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a 60-hour power reserve. The 41mm case is crafted entirely from 18k rose gold, with a thickness of 11.1mm—substantial enough to ensure the watch's presence on the wrist while maintaining wearability. Water resistance reaches 50 meters, sufficient for daily wear but not designed for serious water sports. The bezel features 40 baguette-cut diamonds, while the dial itself is entirely pavé set with brilliant-cut diamonds, eliminating the traditional applied indices and creating an uninterrupted field of sparkle across the face.

This fully diamond-set variant of the Royal Oak emerged in the early 2000s as Audemars Piguet responded to demand from collectors seeking maximum luxury presentation. The combination of 18k rose gold and extensive diamond setting creates a watch that reads as haute joaillerie rather than traditional watchmaking. Production remains limited, with Audemars Piguet reserving such elaborate executions for select authorized retailers and private clients. The reference 15402OR is discontinued, making secondary-market examples increasingly sought after by collectors who prize the Caliber 3120's reliability and the case's iconic Gérald Genta-designed integrated bracelet and bezel geometry.

French Montana's choice of the Royal Oak Selfwinding reflects a broader pattern among contemporary hip-hop artists favoring Audemars Piguet over traditional Swiss sports watches. The brand's positioning—expensive, technically accomplished, and visually distinctive—aligns with the cultural cache of luxury rap watches. The diamond-set configuration particularly resonates with artists seeking maximum visual impact and status signaling, where the shimmer of the paved dial photographs conspicuously in candid shots and on-stage appearances.

Secondary-market prices for the Ref. 15402OR.ZZ.D003CR.01 in strong condition typically range from $120,000 to $145,000, well above the original retail price of approximately $95,000 to $105,000. Scarcity and sustained demand among celebrity collectors have driven values upward, particularly for examples in rose gold with full diamond settings. Waitlists at authorized Audemars Piguet retailers for new diamond-set Royal Oak models extend two to three years, pushing discerning buyers toward pre-owned markets where examples command robust premiums.