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Tennis player Stanislas Wawrinka spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Stanislas Wawrinka was photographed wearing his Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ref. 26470ST on the occasion of his 2016 US Open victory over Novak Djokovic — one of the most celebrated upsets in Grand Slam tennis history. The Swiss player, already an AP enthusiast, chose a personalised configuration of the watch, fitted with a custom pink strap that added a sharp individualistic note to an otherwise classically finished timepiece.

The Royal Oak Offshore Reference 26470ST.OO.A104CR.01 sits in the current core Offshore lineup as a 42mm stainless steel model, a deliberate step back from the 44mm and 48mm cases that defined the line's more aggressive years. The case houses AP's Calibre 3126/3840, a self-winding movement with a column wheel chronograph mechanism, 21-carat gold rotor, 50-hour power reserve, and a frequency of 21,600 vph. The tapisserie dial — here in a deep blue — retains the iconic Offshore DNA first introduced by Emmanuel Gueit for the original Ref. 25721 in 1993, itself a design so radical AP executives reportedly called it 'the Beast.'

Among collectors, the 26470ST occupies a sensible middle ground: it carries genuine Offshore heritage and an in-house movement without demanding the premium commanded by more exotic materials or limited editions. The steel configuration keeps it accessible relative to titanium or ceramic variants, and its 42mm diameter makes it wearable across a broader wrist range. It is not a grail piece in speculative terms, but it is a serious, well-finished daily wearer with strong brand equity.

Wawrinka's affinity for Audemars Piguet is well documented — the brand and tennis have a long-standing relationship, and the Stan-AP combination has been visible throughout his career. His choice of a custom pink strap rather than the standard rubber or leather option reflects the same confidence that characterises his one-handed backhand: technically orthodox, personally distinctive.

On the secondary market, the Reference 26470ST trades close to or slightly below retail depending on condition and box-and-papers status, reflecting steady rather than speculative demand — a mark of a watch bought to be worn, much like Wawrinka does.