Footballer Bruno Fernandes spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United's Portuguese midfielder, was recently photographed returning to training at Carrington wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26240CE. The black ceramic sports watch, paired with an orange-and-white striped training kit, stands out as a subtle yet statement-making accessory, reflecting the footballer's taste for complications-driven luxury timepieces.

The Ref. 26240CE is the ceramic iteration of Audemars Piguet's modern Royal Oak Chronograph collection, first introduced in 2019. The 42mm case is constructed from black ceramic, a material chosen for its extreme hardness and resistance to scratching—particularly valuable for active wearers. The dial features Audemars Piguet's signature "Méga Tapisserie" guilloché pattern in black, contrasted by rose-gold accents on the chronograph subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The integrated Royal Oak bracelet, also crafted from black ceramic with stainless steel links, completes the monolithic aesthetic. Water resistance sits at 100 metres (330 feet), adequate for daily wear but not diving. The movement is the Calibre 4401, an in-house automatic chronograph with column-wheel construction, 40-jewel movement, and a 70-hour power reserve.

The Ref. 26240CE occupies a rare position in the chronograph market: it delivers haute horlogerie credibility—column-wheel mechanics, in-house manufacture, and integrated-bracelet design—while remaining (relatively) more accessible than precious-metal Royal Oaks. The black ceramic variant is less frequently spotted than the white ceramic or stainless-steel references, making it a collector's preferred choice for those seeking visual distinctiveness. Production remains limited; waitlists at authorized dealers have historically stretched 18–24 months.

Fernandes' choice of the Ref. 26240CE aligns with a pattern among elite footballers: the preference for complications-driven dress sports watches that telegraph horological seriousness rather than logo-driven status symbols. Unlike vintage sport watch clichés, the modern Royal Oak Chronograph signals an owner who understands mechanical watchmaking. His regular wear of the timepiece—captured during a routine training return—suggests genuine appreciation rather than occasional sponsorship showcase.

Retail pricing for the Ref. 26240CE hovers near $120,000 USD, though grey-market and pre-owned examples currently trade between $115,000 and $140,000 depending on condition and box/papers. The ceramic material and in-house chronograph movement justify strong secondary-market demand, with minimal depreciation observed over a five-year holding period. Fernandes' public wear bolsters demand among discerning collectors in the Premier League demographic.