Footballer Sergio Ramos spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Few celebrations in modern football carry the weight of a Champions League victory, and when Real Madrid lifted their 12th European Cup trophy in June 2017, captain Sergio Ramos did so with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26557OR.ZZ.D098CR.02 on his wrist — a detail that did not go unnoticed by watch enthusiasts scrolling through the post-match coverage.

The 26557OR sits within AP's Royal Oak Chronograph family as the 39mm rose gold variant, a size that positions it between the more common 41mm sports references and the dressier smaller iterations. The case is crafted in 18k rose gold and the bezel is set with brilliant-cut diamonds, replacing the standard satin-brushed chamfers with something considerably more assertive. Powering the watch is the calibre 2385, a column-wheel integrated chronograph movement with a lateral clutch, 21,600 vph beat rate, and approximately 40 hours of power reserve — a movement AP has relied upon for decades precisely because of its proven reliability and slim profile inside the Royal Oak's architecturally demanding case.

From a collector standpoint, rose gold Royal Oak Chronographs occupy an interesting niche. They lack the austere, sporty purity that makes the stainless steel references so coveted among purists, but they carry genuine rarity and a distinctly opulent character that resonates in certain collector circles, particularly those who value precious-metal AP pieces. The diamond bezel version, ref. 26557OR.ZZ.D098CR.02, leans further into jewellery-watch territory, making it a deliberate lifestyle statement rather than a tool watch.

Sergio Ramos has long maintained one of football's most visible watch collections, with Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille pieces recurring throughout his public appearances. Choosing to wear this particular Royal Oak at the peak moment of Madrid's dynasty — a night that also cemented his own legacy as one of the sport's defining defenders — speaks to a consistent, considered taste for high-complication luxury.

At an original retail price of approximately $41,000 USD, the 26557OR.ZZ.D098CR.02 represented a significant but accessible entry into AP's precious-metal chronograph catalogue. On the secondary market, rose gold Royal Oak Chronographs with diamond bezels tend to trade at or slightly below retail, as the combination appeals to a specific buyer profile rather than commanding the broad demand that drives premiums on steel references.