Watch Paparazzi

Basketball player LeBron James spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

LeBron James was spotted on the sidelines of what appears to be a charity or youth football event, holding a regulation NFL ball while wearing one of Audemars Piguet's most sought-after limited editions on his wrist — the Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix Carbon Chronograph. The watch's black forged carbon case is unmistakable even at distance, its octagonal bezel and exposed crown-guard architecture signaling serious AP provenance.

The Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix, reference 26290IO.OO.A001VE.01, was introduced as a tribute to motorsport and stands apart from standard Offshore models through its forged carbon construction — a material produced by compressing carbon fibers under extreme heat and pressure, yielding a case that is lighter than titanium yet harder than steel. The 44mm case is paired with a rubber strap featuring leather lining and AP's signature deployant clasp. The dial is the watch's most dramatic feature: a layered composition of black, cream, red, and yellow subdials arranged asymmetrically, evoking a racing dashboard. The tachymeter scale on the outer chapter ring reinforces the motorsport narrative.

Powering the Grand Prix is AP's calibre 3126/3840, a self-winding integrated chronograph movement offering approximately 50 hours of power reserve. The movement beats at 21,600 vph and features column-wheel chronograph control — a hallmark of finishing quality at this tier. Production was capped at 1,750 pieces worldwide, making it a genuinely limited proposition in AP's catalogue.

From a collector standpoint, the Grand Prix Carbon occupies an interesting position: it appeals to both the enthusiast who appreciates technical materials and the lifestyle collector drawn to its visual aggression. It is frequently cited alongside the Rubens Barrichello and Alinghi editions as among the most desirable Offshore limited runs from the 2010s era.

LeBron James has built one of the most consistent celebrity watch wardrobes in sports, with AP pieces appearing regularly alongside Richard Mille and Patek Philippe references. His choice of the Grand Prix Carbon — a watch with genuine technical substance behind its bold exterior — reflects a collector sensibility that goes beyond surface-level status signaling. On the grey market, examples trade at a meaningful premium above the original retail, reflecting sustained collector demand.