Mixed martial artist Khabib Nurmagomedov spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Khabib Nurmagomedov, the retired UFC champion and mixed martial arts icon, was recently photographed wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon KAWS Ref. 26656TI.GG.D019VE.01, one of the most exclusive horological collaborations of the past decade. The sighting underscores the watch's status as a symbol of refined taste among elite collectors and high-profile athletes.

The Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon KAWS stands apart within AP's contemporary lineup through its technical specifications and artistic direction. The 43mm case is crafted from grade-5 titanium, offering lightweight durability alongside a distinctive grey aesthetic. The dial features a skeletonised layout integrating KAWS' Companion character directly into the visible movement architecture, creating a seamless fusion of watchmaking and visual art. A flying tourbillon cage, positioned at 6 o'clock, rotates once per minute and is viewable through the dial aperture. The calibre is AP's manual-wind mechanical movement, visible through a display caseback. Water resistance stands at 100 meters, and the bracelet is a matching titanium link design with rubber accents.

Limited to exactly 250 pieces worldwide, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon KAWS Ref. 26656TI.GG.D019VE.01 represents a rare intersection of fine watchmaking and street-art credibility. KAWS, the Brooklyn-based artist whose Companion character has become globally recognized, worked directly with AP's design team on dial integration and case finishing. This level of artistic collaboration distinguishes the watch from AP's conventional Royal Oak Concept iterations and has driven collector demand significantly.

Khabib's choice reflects a pattern among professional athletes gravitating toward ultra-exclusive timepieces that signify achievement and access. His collection includes multiple Audemars Piguet references, including the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked and Royal Oak Chronograph variants, positioning the KAWS edition as a natural flagship addition to his portfolio.

On the secondary market, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon KAWS Ref. 26656TI.GG.D019VE.01 currently commands approximately $480,000 USD, reflecting its rarity and the artist collaboration premium. Availability remains extremely limited; most examples do not circulate through conventional retail channels, and acquisition typically requires direct brand relationships or specialist dealers with established AP allocations.