Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Giorgio Chiellini spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Giorgio Chiellini, the commanding central defender who built his legendary career at Juventus and led the Italian national team to Euro 2020 glory, has been photographed wearing one of the most technically compelling and visually striking Royal Oak references currently in production: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked in black ceramic, reference 15416CE.

The 15416CE measures 41mm in Audemars Piguet's proprietary black ceramic — a material prized for its scratch resistance, featherweight feel, and deep, light-absorbing matte finish. The case follows the octagonal Royal Oak architecture designed by Gérald Genta in 1972, here rendered in a contemporary dark palette that transforms the iconic silhouette into something genuinely modern. The integrated bracelet carries the same ceramic construction, lending the watch a monolithic coherence that few competitors can match at any price point.

At the heart of the 15416CE beats Calibre 3132, a manually wound skeletonized movement beating at 21,600 vph with a 72-hour power reserve. The movement's headline feature is the double balance wheel, a twin-wheel regulating system linked by a differential that averages out positional rate variations between the two oscillators. The result is a movement that is both horologically sophisticated and visually arresting — the openworked dial turning the entire watch into a showcase for the complication. Released in November 2021, demand outstripped supply almost from day one.

Collectors have long recognized black ceramic Royal Oaks as a category apart. References like the earlier 15407CE established that AP could execute high-complication skeletonization in ceramic without compromising legibility or finishing quality. The 15416CE takes that lineage forward with the double balance wheel, making it simultaneously a technical statement and a grail-level acquisition. Grey market premiums have reflected this reality since launch.

Chiellini's appreciation for fine watchmaking has been documented on his social channels, and the 15416CE is not a casual purchase — it signals genuine collector engagement. At a retail list price in the region of $74,900, the reference trades on the secondary market at a substantial premium, with grey market values consistently exceeding $130,000. For a footballer of Chiellini's stature and discernment, it is a fitting choice.