Footballer Gonzalo Higuain spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Gonzalo Higuain, then leading the line for Juventus in Serie A, was photographed wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding in 18K rose gold — reference 15450OR — a watch that deserves considerably more attention than it typically receives in celebrity circles dominated by flashier complications.

The 15450OR was launched in 2018 as a deliberate refinement of the Royal Oak family. At 37mm in diameter, it sits between the classic 33mm ladies' reference and the flagship 41mm 15500, occupying what AP calls the 'medium' size — though the term undersells it. The case and integrated bracelet are executed entirely in 18K rose gold, paired here with a deep, warm-toned 'Grande Tapisserie' dial that shifts character depending on the light. Inside beats the Calibre 4302, a self-winding movement with a 55-hour power reserve, visible through the sapphire caseback. Water resistance sits at 50 metres. The overall thickness comes in at 8.1mm — genuinely svelte for a rose gold sports watch.

From a collector standpoint, the 15450OR occupies an interesting position. It is often overlooked in favour of the 41mm 15500 or the more aggressive stainless steel references, yet that is precisely what makes it compelling. The 37mm case wears with surprising versatility, and rose gold adds warmth without the ostentatious weight of full yellow gold. Early production examples have begun attracting secondary-market interest from collectors who recognise the reference as a transitional piece in the Royal Oak's modern evolution.

Higuain's choice is consistent with the broader culture among elite Serie A footballers of that era, who gravitated toward understated luxury over overt complication. A rose gold Royal Oak reads as confident and knowledgeable — it is not a watch you buy because it tops a list; you buy it because you understand what it represents.

On the primary market, the 15450OR carried a list price of approximately £27,000 in the UK at time of sighting. On the grey market, rose gold Royal Oak references in this size trade at a meaningful premium, reflecting both AP's allocation constraints and sustained collector demand for the reference.