Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Danny Welbeck spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Danny Welbeck, the Arsenal and England forward known for his composed finishing, displayed equally composed taste off the pitch when he was spotted wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in 18kt rose gold, reference 15400OR — a watch that carries as much engineering credibility as it does visual presence.

The Royal Oak 15400OR is the rose gold variant of the generation that succeeded the long-running 15300, introduced around 2012 and built around a 41mm case. That jump from the classic 39mm format was not universally welcomed at first, but collectors quickly recognized the improved proportions on the wrist, particularly in the integrated bracelet execution that remains one of the finest in the industry. The case and bracelet are rendered entirely in 18kt rose gold, with Audemars Piguet's signature alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces creating the optical depth that sets the Royal Oak apart from any imitator.

Powering the 15400OR is the Calibre 3120, an in-house automatic movement beating at 21,600 vph with a 60-hour power reserve. Visible through the sapphire caseback, the movement features an elaboré-grade finish with Geneva stripes and beveled bridges — a level of decoration that most brands reserve for far more expensive pieces. The dial, in this rose gold reference, typically presents in a silvered or champagne-toned Grande Tapisserie pattern, the hallmark checkerboard motif that Genta conceived in 1972.

For collectors, the 15400OR occupies a significant position. It represents the last major Royal Oak generation before the 15500 arrived in 2019 with an updated movement and slightly refined aesthetics, meaning the 15400 series has already begun its transition into true collector territory — a closed chapter with a defined production window.

Welbeck joins a long roster of Premier League talent drawn to the Royal Oak's blend of sportswear DNA and precious metal execution. At a UK list price of approximately £40,500, and with grey market values for rose gold variants holding firm well above retail given sustained global demand, this is a watch that performs as a serious asset as much as a personal statement.