Actor Ram Charan spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Ram Charan, one of Tollywood's most bankable stars and a name increasingly recognised on international red carpets, was recently spotted wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding in 18-carat rose gold — reference 15500OR.OO.D002CR.01. Paired with a dark leather strap rather than the integrated bracelet, the choice reads as deliberately understated for a watch that costs the better part of a luxury automobile.

Launched in 2022 as the direct successor to the long-running ref. 15400, the Royal Oak 15500OR represents a meaningful technical and aesthetic evolution. The case measures 41mm in diameter — unchanged — but the lugs, bezel geometry, and dial layout were all quietly refined to bring the design closer to Gerald Genta's 1972 original. Inside sits the in-house Calibre 4302, a self-winding movement running at 3Hz with a 60-hour power reserve, a significant upgrade over the 4302's predecessor both in finishing quality and autonomy. The Petite Tapisserie dial in this rose gold reference carries a warm, slightly champagne tone that harmonises naturally with the 18-carat pink gold case and octagonal bezel.

Among collectors, the 15500 series arrived with immediate credibility. It addressed longstanding criticisms of the 15400 — most notably the dial proportions — and the in-house calibre cemented AP's commitment to manufacture status across the Royal Oak range. The rose gold variant occupies a particular position: more traditional in material than steel, yet more wearable than full-bracelet yellow gold references. Waiting lists at authorised dealers remain a reality.

Ram Charan, son of legendary Telugu actor Chiranjeevi, has built an empire that extends well beyond acting into production and aviation. His profile has surged internationally following the global success of RRR, and his watch choices increasingly reflect a collector's sensibility rather than mere status signalling. The leather-strapped 15500OR fits that narrative — technically serious, visually restrained.

At retail, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15500OR.OO.D002CR.01 lists at approximately CHF 37,700. On the grey market, rose gold Royal Oak 15500 references have traded consistently above retail, with premiums reflecting both demand and constrained authorised dealer supply — a dynamic that shows little sign of correcting in the near term.