Watch Paparazzi

Musician Axwell spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Axwell, one-third of Swedish House Mafia and a solo force in electronic music, was recently photographed wearing an 18K pink gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, reference 26470OR — a watch that sits at the intersection of haute horlogerie craftsmanship and unapologetic sportswear.

The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 26470OR measures 42mm in diameter and is cased entirely in 18K pink gold, including the iconic octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws — the signature design language Gerald Genta introduced with the original Royal Oak in 1972. The dial on this reference is finished in a rich brown 'Méga Tapisserie' pattern, a deeper and bolder rendition of the classic small Tapisserie, complemented by pink gold applied indices and a matching pink gold bracelet. Pushers, crown, and caseback are all en suite in the same warm alloy.

Beneath the dial, Audemars Piguet fitted the Calibre 3126/3840 — an integrated automatic movement beating at 21,600 vph with a column wheel and lateral clutch governing the chronograph function. Power reserve sits at a respectable 60 hours. The movement is visible through a sapphire caseback, revealing the rhodium-plated, bevelled and côtes de Genève-decorated finishing that AP applies even to calibres largely hidden from view.

The Royal Oak Offshore was launched in 1993, originally designed by Emmanuel Gueit as an oversized, more aggressive evolution of the Royal Oak. At the time it was controversial; today it is canonical. The 26470OR belongs to a generation of Offshore references that consolidated the line's identity, offering precious metal variants that appeal equally to serious collectors and high-profile personalities in music and sport. Pink gold Offshore chronographs are produced in comparatively limited numbers relative to steel references, which sustains their desirability on the secondary market.

Axwell's taste in watches has consistently leaned toward statement pieces with genuine horological substance. The Royal Oak Offshore 26470OR retailed in the UK at approximately £34,300 at list. On the grey market, pink gold Offshore chronographs of this reference have traded between $45,000 and $58,000 depending on condition and documentation, reflecting steady collector demand for precious-metal AP sports references.