Watch Paparazzi

Singer John Mayer spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

John Mayer was recently spotted on the wrist with one of the most technically rarefied Royal Oaks in existence — the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin in 18K pink gold, reference 26515OR. For a collector of Mayer's calibre, the choice is entirely deliberate: this is not a watch purchased for visibility, but for mechanical substance wrapped in a genuinely scarce production run of just 25 examples.

The Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin 26515OR is built around AP's in-house Calibre 2924, a manually wound movement measuring just 3.95mm in total height — a figure that places it among the thinnest tourbillon calibres in Swiss watchmaking. The movement runs at 21,600 vph, offers 70 hours of power reserve, and features a flying tourbillon at 6 o'clock. The 41mm pink gold case, with its signature octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet, remains true to Gerald Genta's 1972 blueprint while achieving a wrist presence that borders on the paradoxical: substantial in design, almost weightless in profile.

From a collector standpoint, the 26515OR occupies an important position in Royal Oak history. It represents the convergence of AP's high complication manufacture expertise with the sportswear aesthetic that made the Royal Oak a cultural object. Limited-edition tourbillon Royal Oaks in precious metal consistently appreciate and rarely surface on the secondary market, with owners tending to hold rather than flip. The pink gold execution adds a warmth that contrasts beautifully with the tapisserie dial's geometric texture.

Mayer has built one of the most respected watch collections in celebrity circles, with known holdings spanning independent makers, vintage Patek Philippe, and Rolex. His affinity for AP runs deep — he has appeared with multiple Royal Oak references over the years — but the 26515OR signals a step further into serious haute horlogerie territory.

With a UK list price of approximately £148,000, the 26515OR sits well above six figures at retail. On the grey market, genuine scarcity and Mayer's ongoing influence in watch culture have kept demand firm, with examples where they surface commanding prices that meet or exceed retail — a rarity in the current, more subdued secondary market environment.