Rapper Dave spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

At last night's Brit Awards ceremony, UK rapper Dave — real name David Orobosa Omoregie — accepted the Best Album prize wearing one of the most coveted anniversary releases in recent horological memory: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 'Jumbo' Extra-Thin in 18-karat yellow gold, reference 16202BA. The combination of peak-career recognition and a watch of this calibre made for a sighting worth documenting carefully.

The 16202BA is the yellow gold iteration of the Reference 16202 family, launched by Audemars Piguet in 2022 to mark the Royal Oak's 50th anniversary. It measures 39mm in diameter and 8.1mm in thickness — figures that mirror the proportions of the original 5402 from 1972, designed by Gerald Genta. Beating inside is the manually wound Calibre 7121, itself a reissue of the legendary 2121 movement, running at 19,800 vph with a 40-hour power reserve and measuring a remarkable 3.05mm in height. The integrated yellow gold bracelet with its graduated taper remains one of the most technically and aesthetically refined bracelets in the industry.

From a collector's perspective, the 16202BA occupies rarefied territory. The 50th anniversary series reaffirmed the Royal Oak's status as the watch that defined luxury sports watchmaking, and the yellow gold version in particular draws on a long tradition — yellow gold Royal Oaks were status symbols in the 1980s and 1990s before steel took cultural dominance. The return of the hand-wound movement in this case, after decades of the automatic 2121/3120 being the standard, signals Audemars Piguet's intent to connect this piece directly to its roots.

Dave has established himself as one of the most critically acclaimed British rappers of his generation, with his album 'We're All Alone in This Together' and now this latest Brit-winning body of work cementing his standing. His watch choices have reflected a growing sophistication, and the 16202BA — understated in silhouette but extraordinary in pedigree — suits an artist whose work rewards closer attention.

At a list price of £59,400 ($70,500), the 16202BA is not easily obtained through authorised dealers, where waitlists remain extensive. On the secondary market, grey-market premiums for the yellow gold variant have been substantial, with recent auction and dealer transactions placing the piece well above retail.