Influencer Alex Rivière spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Spanish influencer Alex Rivière was recently photographed wearing a stainless steel Audemars Piguet Royal Oak reference 14790ST featuring a blue dial with the distinctive short indices that mark it as a third-series example — arguably the most refined evolution of this mid-sized Royal Oak variant.

Launched in 1992, the Royal Oak ref. 14790ST was not Audemars Piguet's first foray into intermediate case sizes, but it proved by far the most commercially successful. Measuring 36mm in stainless steel, the 14790 housed the calibre 2225, an automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve, beating at 19,800 vph. The case retained Gérald Genta's iconic octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws, the integrated bracelet, and the hallmark "Grande Tapisserie" dial — but in a wearable format that appealed to a broader audience without sacrificing the Royal Oak's architectural DNA.

The 14790ST evolved through three distinct series over its production life, spanning more than a decade until around 2003. Dial variations ranged from the early long-indices configuration to the short-indices layout seen on Alex Rivière's example, which collectors generally associate with later production and consider the most visually balanced. Blue dials with short indices represent one of the most sought-after combinations among 14790 enthusiasts, sitting alongside rare two-tone and full yellow gold variants that emerged during the same production run.

For collectors, the 14790 occupies a genuine sweet spot. It is mechanically robust, historically significant as a transitional reference, and still attainable compared to the stratospheric prices commanded by vintage 5402 examples. The relatively long production run means examples appear with some regularity on the secondary market, but condition-correct third-series pieces with original dials and bracelets in full length are increasingly difficult to source cleanly.

Alex Rivière's choice reflects a growing trend among style-conscious figures gravitating toward pre-modern Royal Oak references — watches with genuine horological pedigree that wear elegantly without the ubiquity of current-production pieces. The 14790ST in steel with a blue dial currently trades on the grey market in the $8,000–$13,000 range depending on condition, representing compelling value within the broader Royal Oak universe.