Watch Paparazzi

Actor Ajay Devgn spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Ajay Devgn, one of Bollywood's most bankable leading men and a known connoisseur of understated luxury, was recently photographed wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in stainless steel. The casual denim setting only reinforces how versatile this watch genuinely is — a sports chronograph that reads equally well on a film set or a red carpet.

The watch in question presents the hallmarks of the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph reference 25721ST.OO.1000ST.08: a 42mm stainless steel case with the signature octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws, a black 'Méga Tapisserie' dial with luminous Arabic numerals, two sub-registers at 9 and 3 o'clock, a date window at 3, and a tachymeter scale on the inner bezel ring. The case construction features AP's characteristic alternation of brushed and polished surfaces, demanding exceptional finishing at every lug and flank. The movement inside is the Calibre 2226/2840, a column-wheel chronograph with a 40-hour power reserve — robust, well-regulated, and entirely appropriate for daily wear.

The Royal Oak Offshore's collector significance is hard to overstate. Designed by Emmanuel Gueit under Gerald Genta's conceptual shadow, it debuted in 1993 as a deliberate break from the understated original Royal Oak. The watch world called it monstrous; it became a landmark. The all-steel configuration remains the purest expression of the original concept — before limited editions, ceramic, and rubber straps complicated the lineup. Early steel references like this are increasingly sought by collectors who value provenance over novelty.

Devgn's affinity for high-horology is well-documented. The actor has been photographed with several significant timepieces over the years, and the Royal Oak Offshore suits his public persona — physically imposing, technically accomplished, resistant to easy categorisation. It is not a flashy choice, but it is an authoritative one.

On the market, this reference has appreciated meaningfully. The original retail price hovered around $27,390 USD, reflecting AP's pricing during the early-to-mid lifecycle of this configuration. Grey-market values for clean examples in full set have since climbed, with dealers regularly asking $32,000–$38,000 for well-preserved pieces. As AP continues retiring older references in favour of the current 26470 generation, demand for the transitional steel Offshore only strengthens.