Pilot Michael Schumacher spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Photographs taken during an Audemars Piguet workshop event show Michael Schumacher wearing the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in titanium, reference 26170TI, paired with a leather strap — a subtle but telling departure from the standard titanium bracelet configuration that underlines his familiarity with the piece beyond its public-facing identity.

The ref. 26170TI sits within the broader Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph family, a lineage that Gerald Genta's successor design team launched in 1993 as a deliberately oversized, sports-luxe evolution of the original 1972 Royal Oak. The 42mm Grade 5 titanium case of the 26170TI reduces wrist weight considerably compared to stainless steel references, while retaining the signature octagonal bezel, exposed screws, and tapisserie dial. Inside beats the calibre 2326/2840 — a self-winding integrated chronograph movement with column wheel control, 40-hour power reserve, and a 21,600 vph beat rate. The combination of an in-house movement architecture and a case material associated with aerospace engineering gave this reference a particular resonance in motorsport circles.

Among collectors, the titanium Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph occupies a specific niche. Titanium Offshore references have historically attracted buyers who prioritise wearability and technical specification over the prestige optics of precious metal, and they tend to hold value with quiet steadiness rather than speculative volatility. The 26170TI is not the rarest Offshore in production history, but its clean execution and genuine material advantage make it a consistent presence in serious collections.

Schumacher's relationship with Audemars Piguet was longstanding and well-documented. As a brand ambassador during his active racing years and beyond, he wore AP not as a contractual formality but with evident personal interest. His presence at AP workshops and events pointed to a genuine engagement with watchmaking, and the choice of the titanium Offshore — a tool-watch at heart dressed in luxury clothing — aligned naturally with the engineering culture that defined his career across seven Formula 1 World Championships with Benetton and Ferrari.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph ref. 26170TI carried a retail price in the range of $23,000–$27,000 depending on market and strap configuration. On the secondary market, clean examples with box and papers have traded in a similar band, with collector premiums attaching primarily to provenance — making a watch photographed on Schumacher's wrist a document of genuine historical weight.