Watch Paparazzi

Singer Justin Bieber spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Justin Bieber was photographed — shot by Getty Images — wearing a vintage Audemars Piguet Royal Oak reference 5402BA, pairing the storied timepiece with the high-profile Jordan X Dior sneaker collaboration. The juxtaposition of a 1970s haute horlogerie icon alongside one of streetwear's most anticipated drops is precisely the kind of cultural layering Bieber has made his personal aesthetic signature.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 5402BA occupies a unique position in watch history. The Royal Oak was conceived by the late Gérald Genta and launched in 1972 as reference 5402ST in stainless steel — a deliberate provocation in an era when precious-metal dress watches dominated. The 5402BA is the yellow-gold iteration, introduced in 1978, cased in 18-karat gold and measuring 39mm across its characteristic integrated bracelet. Powering the piece is the calibre 2121, an ultra-thin automatic movement developed in partnership with Jaeger-LeCoultre (sharing DNA with the JLC 920), beating at 19,800 vph and offering approximately 40 hours of power reserve. At just 3.05mm thick, it remains an engineering benchmark. The dark grey Méga Tapisserie dial — AP's bold evolution of the original Petite Tapisserie pattern — amplifies the case geometry and gives the watch a moody, graphic presence quite different from the lighter dials found on earlier examples.

For serious collectors, the 5402BA is a grail-tier reference. It represents the first generation of Royal Oaks, before case proportions changed and before the reference was superseded by the 14802 family. Yellow-gold first-generation examples in clean, unpolished condition are increasingly scarce, and the combination of original bracelet, correct dial, and documented provenance can push prices well beyond the $70,000 USD mark in the current market.

Bieber has long demonstrated a genuine interest in serious watchmaking rather than simple logo acquisition — AP Royal Oaks, Richard Mille pieces, and Pateks have all featured on his wrist across the years. Choosing a first-generation 5402BA signals either strong personal taste or very good advice from a watch consultant, likely both.

On the grey market, authenticated 5402BA examples in excellent condition currently trade between $55,000 and $75,000 USD depending on condition and originality of components, with exceptional examples exceeding that ceiling. No current official retail exists for this vintage reference.