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Television presenter Kapil Sharma spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Kapil Sharma, India's most-watched television comedian and host, was recently photographed wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph in 18k rose gold — a watch that sits firmly at the intersection of sports-luxury heritage and modern collector desire. The casual setting, a relaxed sweater and jeans, only heightens the contrast with a timepiece that commands well north of $60,000 on the open market.

The watch in question appears to be reference 26320OR.OO.D315CR.01, identifiable by its 41mm 18k rose gold octagonal case, signature eight-hexagonal-screw bezel, blue 'Grande Tapisserie' dial, and rose gold-toned counters at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. The blue alligator strap with a rose gold AP folding clasp completes the configuration. Inside beats calibre 2385, a column-wheel integrated chronograph movement with a 40-hour power reserve, operating at 21,600 vph — a movement AP refined over decades and which remains a benchmark for integrated chronograph architecture.

The Royal Oak Chronograph occupies a particular status in AP's lineup. First introduced in the 1990s as an extension of the original 1972 Royal Oak concept by Gérald Genta, the chronograph variant demanded years of engineering to integrate the complication into the slim Royal Oak case profile without compromising proportions. The rose gold iteration with blue dial is widely considered the most visually authoritative expression of the reference — the warm metal against the cool blue creates a tension that photography captures well, making it a favourite for celebrity sightings.

Kapil Sharma's horological choices have drawn attention before, but the Royal Oak Chronograph signals a collector's sensibility rather than mere status signalling. This is not an entry-level luxury purchase — it is a considered acquisition by someone who understands AP's hierarchy.

On the market, this reference has appreciated significantly. Grey market premiums over retail have stabilised somewhat after the 2021–2022 frenzy but remain substantial. For Indian buyers, import duties and taxes push the effective acquisition cost considerably higher than US retail figures suggest, making Sharma's ownership of this piece all the more notable as a statement of where Indian celebrity wealth and watch culture now intersect.