Television presenter James Corden spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

James Corden, the British comedian best known for his decade-long tenure hosting The Late Late Show on CBS, was recently spotted on the wrist of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Chronograph in forged carbon, reference 26265FO — a watch that represents one of the most technically and materially ambitious pieces in the Le Brassus manufacture's modern lineup.

The Royal Oak Concept ref. 26265FO is built around Audemars Piguet's Calibre 2936, a hand-wound flying tourbillon movement with a column-wheel chronograph mechanism. The movement operates at 21,600 vph and delivers a 70-hour power reserve, displayed via a dedicated indicator on the dial. The case itself is constructed from forged carbon — a material that produces a distinctive, non-repeating fiber pattern on every single piece — paired with a rubber strap and titanium deployant clasp. The octagonal bezel, a nod to the original Gérald Genta-designed Royal Oak of 1972, is rendered here in black ceramic, reinforcing the watch's dark, high-contrast aesthetic.

The Royal Oak Concept line was introduced in 2002 as AP's experimental sub-family, designed to push both materials science and watchmaking complication to their limits. The forged carbon references in this line carry particular collector cachet — the material's aerospace-grade lightweight properties combined with its visual uniqueness mean no two watches look identical. The 26265FO, with its combination of flying tourbillon and chronograph, sits at the apex of that lineage.

For Corden, whose watch collection has shown a consistent lean toward statement pieces with high technical pedigree, the 26265FO is a logical addition. It reads as bold on the wrist without relying on precious metals — the kind of choice that signals genuine horological knowledge rather than default luxury signaling.

On the market, the ref. 26265FO is genuinely scarce. With a UK list price of £250,000 — approximately $315,000 USD at current exchange — and extremely limited production, grey market availability is minimal and pricing typically reflects or exceeds retail. For collectors, this is a serious acquisition, not an impulse buy.