Singer John Mayer spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

John Mayer posted this wrist shot to his Instagram feed, showcasing one of the rarest and most mechanically complex references in the entire Audemars Piguet catalogue — the Royal Oak Concept GMT Tourbillon HNR, a 50-piece limited edition that sits at the absolute summit of AP's experimental Concept line. The image immediately drew attention from watch communities for the sheer rarity of the piece on the wrist rather than behind glass.

The reference 26560IO.OO.D010CA.01 is built around a case construction that pairs forged carbon with a white ceramic bezel and titanium elements, measuring 44mm across with a deliberately aggressive, almost architectural profile. Inside beats the Calibre 2954, a hand-wound movement featuring a flying tourbillon at 9 o'clock and a GMT complication — both displayed through an open-worked dial that doubles as the movement's structural skeleton. The bridges and mainplate are eliminated in favor of a sapphire crystal sandwich construction, leaving the mechanics entirely exposed. Power reserve stands at 72 hours.

The HNR designation — referencing Haute Horlogerie Nouvelle Réalité, AP's internal language for its most avant-garde Concept references — signals this is not a mainline production model. It was released in limited numbers, and the white-on-grey colorway, with its white rubber strap and contrasting dark forged carbon case panels, is one of the most visually striking executions in the Concept family. Collector demand for Concept tourbillon references has intensified sharply as the broader Royal Oak market has matured.

Mayer's relationship with Audemars Piguet is well documented. He sits on AP's Board of Advisors, has collaborated on limited edition references, and maintains one of the most respected watch collections among public figures globally — spanning complications from multiple maisons but with a clear gravitational pull toward AP. His wearing of this reference is entirely consistent with his taste profile: technically serious, visually distinctive, and genuinely rare.

At a UK RRP of approximately £135,000 (roughly $168,000 USD at time of release), this piece was never accessible retail for most collectors. On the secondary market, examples have traded considerably above list when they appear at all — the combination of tourbillon, GMT, open-worked architecture, and a 50-piece production run ensures persistent demand over supply.