Watch Paparazzi

Politician Antônio Carlos Magalhães Neto spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Antônio Carlos Magalhães Neto, the Mayor of Salvador, Bahia, and scion of one of Brazil's most powerful political dynasties, was recently photographed wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in the reference 26400SO configuration — a model that sits firmly at the bolder end of AP's catalogue and makes no attempt to blend into the background.

The ref. 26400SO was introduced as part of AP's ongoing evolution of the Offshore line, which itself launched in 1993 as a deliberately oversized, sportier interpretation of Gerald Genta's original 1972 Royal Oak. The 26400SO measures 44mm in steel with a distinctive black ceramic bezel — the "SO" in the reference denoting this steel-on-ceramic material combination. The dial is executed in a contrasting grey with the iconic "Méga Tapisserie" pattern, with three chronograph subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The pushers and crown are rendered in black rubber-coated steel, reinforcing the watch's unapologetically athletic character.

Powering the 26400SO is the manufacture calibre 3126/3840, a self-winding column-wheel chronograph movement offering approximately 60 hours of power reserve. The movement features a vertical clutch for smooth chronograph engagement and is visible through a sapphire caseback — a detail often appreciated by collectors who know to flip the watch over. AP finishes the bridges and rotor to a standard that holds up under scrutiny.

For collectors, the 26400SO occupies an interesting position. It is not the rarest Offshore reference, but the ceramic bezel variant carries a premium in terms of material durability and visual impact. The Offshore line has attracted a loyal following across sports, entertainment, and — increasingly — politics, where its size and presence communicate confidence rather than restraint.

Magalhães Neto comes from a family synonymous with Bahian political power; his grandfather, Antônio Carlos Magalhães, dominated the state for decades. Wearing an AP Offshore in an official context says something deliberate: this is a man comfortable with visibility. On the secondary market, the 26400SO trades at a meaningful premium over retail, reflecting sustained demand for ceramic-bezel Offshore references across global grey markets.