Rapper J Balvin spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Colombian music icon J Balvin made a notable appearance at Kiton's headquarters in Arzano, Naples, showcasing an extraordinary example of haute horlogerie: the Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar ref. 26598BC in 18-karat white gold. The sighting, captured and shared by the fashion-focused account Young Brando, Watches 'n Style, highlights one of only 15 pieces produced exclusively for the Japanese market—a distinction that places this particular Audemars Piguet among the most sought-after contemporary perpetual calendar variants.

The Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar ref. 26598BC houses the in-house Calibre 5135, a 461-component perpetual mechanism with annual-calendar complications that will require no manual adjustment until the year 2100. The 41mm case is crafted entirely in 18-karat white gold and features Audemars Piguet's iconic octagonal bezel set with 32 baguette-cut diamonds totalling approximately 3 carats. The dial presents a dramatic black grande tapisserie pattern as its base, upon which three blue subdials—rendered in Prussian blue tones inspired by Ukiyo-e masters Hiroshige and Hokusai—display the perpetual functions: month, date, day of the week, and leap-year indicator. Off-white chapter rings border these registers, creating refined contrast against the textured background. Water resistance reaches 20 metres.

The Japanese market designation of this limited edition underscores Audemars Piguet's strategic regional production approach. While the standard Perpetual Calendar ref. 26598BC commands considerable collector attention, the baguette diamond variant with Prussian blue subdials represents a refined, culturally inspired interpretation that diverges markedly from conventional precious-metal perpetuals. Production of the 15-piece Japanese limited edition occurred in the early 2020s, and secondary-market examples remain exceptionally scarce.

J Balvin's choice of the Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar aligns with his established luxury-watch taste, reinforcing the reggaeton pioneer's position as a serious collector rather than a casual wearer of high-profile timepieces. The pairing with Kiton—the Naples-based sartorial house renowned for bespoke tailoring—positions this sighting as a deliberately curated moment bridging fashion and watchmaking.

Retail pricing for the Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar ref. 26598BC in 18-karat white gold with diamond bezel typically ranges between $180,000 and $210,000 USD. Grey-market examples of this specific Japanese limited edition currently trade between $220,000 and $260,000 USD, reflecting both scarcity and sustained collector demand for perpetual calendar complications in precious metals.