Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Gerard Pique spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Gerard Piqué was photographed on the training ground saying goodbye to a Barcelona teammate, his wrist carrying the unmistakable bulk of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Survivor reference 26165IO — a limited edition of 1,000 pieces that sits at the more serious end of the already formidable Offshore catalogue.

The Royal Oak Offshore Survivor ref. 26165IO is built around a 42mm case combining black ceramic and titanium, two materials chosen as much for their technical properties as for their visual effect. Ceramic offers exceptional scratch resistance and a deep, non-reflective surface, while titanium keeps the overall weight manageable despite the case's substantial dimensions. Water resistance is rated to 100 metres, and the integrated rubber strap with AP folding clasp completes a package designed for durability without compromise.

At the heart of the Survivor sits the Calibre 3126/3840, an in-house automatic movement with a column-wheel chronograph and a 10-day power reserve — a specification that places it well above the standard Offshore offering. The movement is visible through the case back and decorated to AP's exacting standards. The 'Survivor' name references deliberate extreme-conditions engineering: the crown is recessed and screw-locked, the pushers are similarly protected, and the overall construction reflects a genuine resistance brief rather than a marketing concept.

For collectors, the 26165IO occupies a specific niche. The Offshore line has polarised opinion since Gerald Genta's original 1993 'Beast' design, but limited ceramic-and-titanium variants consistently hold strong secondary-market interest. The combination of a 1,000-piece run, an in-house movement, and exotic case materials makes the Survivor a reference that serious AP collectors track closely. It does not appear on grey-market shelves frequently, which maintains its desirability.

Piqué has long demonstrated a preference for substantial sports watches that complement an athletic lifestyle, and the Survivor is a logical fit — robust, technically credible, and visually commanding without relying on precious metal. With a UK list price of approximately £50,000, this is not an impulse purchase even at footballer wages. Its appearance on the wrist of one of Barcelona's most decorated defenders adds another footnote to its already well-documented collector story.