Watch Paparazzi

Musician DJ Snake spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

DJ Snake was recently spotted on the wrist with one of modern horology's most recognizable references: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400ST in stainless steel. The sighting places the French-Algerian producer squarely in the company of collectors who understand that the steel Royal Oak remains the purest expression of Gerald Genta's original 1972 vision — no precious metal distraction, just integrated bracelet, tapisserie dial, and eight-sided bezel doing exactly what they were designed to do.

The 15400ST was introduced in 2012 as the successor to the long-running 15300ST, upgrading the case to 41mm and adopting the slimmer, more refined Calibre 3120 movement. That in-house self-winding manufacture calibre operates at 21,600 vph, offers a 60-hour power reserve, and is finished to a standard that justifies AP's positioning at the top of the Swiss establishment. The case measures 9.8mm in thickness — genuinely wearable for a watch of this presence. Production of the 15400ST was wound down in 2022 when Audemars Piguet introduced the 15510ST, making existing examples increasingly sought after.

Among collectors, the 15400ST occupies a specific and respected position. It was the last Royal Oak to carry the 'straight-line' hour markers and the subsidiary seconds at 3 o'clock — details that purists associate closely with the original Jumbo lineage. The reference generated consistent waitlists throughout its production life, and the grey market reflected that demand accordingly. Now discontinued, it trades with a premium that reflects both its collector pedigree and the difficulty of sourcing unworn examples.

DJ Snake — born William Grigahcine in Paris — has built a discography that spans Diplo collaborations to Super Bowl appearances, and his taste in watches reflects a low-key confidence consistent with that level of achievement. The steel Royal Oak is not a flashy choice; it is the choice of someone who knows the market well enough not to need to prove a point with diamonds or a complication.

Retail on the 15400ST was set at approximately £14,300 in the UK during its active production run. On the secondary market, clean stainless examples with original bracelet and box-and-papers have been consistently trading above list, with grey-market prices typically landing in the $28,000–$33,000 range depending on condition and provenance — a meaningful premium that underscores the enduring demand for this reference.