Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Joao Felix spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

João Félix was recently spotted wearing one of the most historically significant pieces in the Audemars Piguet catalog: the vintage Royal Oak Jumbo reference 5402SA, a two-tone steel and yellow gold version of the watch that effectively created the luxury sports watch category. For a footballer known as much for his aesthetic sensibility as his on-pitch talent, the choice is telling.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 5402 was the original Royal Oak, introduced in 1972 at the Basel Watch Fair and designed overnight by the legendary Gérald Genta. At 39mm, the so-called 'Jumbo' — named for its unusually large diameter at a time when dress watches measured 34mm or less — wore like a statement. The 5402SA designation indicates the two-tone execution, combining a stainless steel case and bracelet with yellow gold bezel and accents, presenting a variant that was produced in far smaller numbers than the all-steel 5402ST. Inside runs the calibre 2121, an ultra-thin automatic movement measuring just 3.05mm in height, developed jointly with Jaeger-LeCoultre as the calibre 920, and still used in updated Royal Oak references today.

Among collectors, the Ref. 5402SA occupies a specific and demanding niche. The two-tone configuration divides opinion — purists often prefer the all-steel — but rarity and condition-sensitivity make fine examples increasingly difficult to source. The original 'tapisserie' dial, applied hour markers, and integrated Jubilee-style bracelet must all show appropriate aging without damage. A strong example in honest, unpolished condition commands serious attention at auction and through specialist dealers.

Félix, 24, has built a reputation for wearing serious watches beyond the typical footballer playbook of new-release Rolexes and diamond-set Pateks. The 5402SA requires genuine horological knowledge to seek out, suggesting either strong personal taste or informed guidance — neither of which is unwelcome.

On the grey market, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo 5402SA trades around $40,000 depending heavily on condition, originality of the dial and bracelet, and service history. Prices have firmed as the Ref. 5402 gains recognition as a foundational collector piece, with well-documented examples occasionally exceeding that figure at specialist auction.