Footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

During a recent FOX Sports broadcast, Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović appeared on-air in a cream-coloured suit, visibly wearing a rose gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 15412OR.01 on his left wrist. The timepiece commanded immediate attention—a masterclass in luxury sports-watch design that underscored Ibrahimović's documented taste for ultra-premium horology.

The Royal Oak 15412OR.01 is a hand-wound dress-sports hybrid powered by the Audemars Piguet calibre 2924, a 40-jewel manually-wound movement finishing at 21,600 vibrations per hour. The 37mm case is crafted in 18-karat rose gold and features the iconic octagonal bezel set with 40 baguette-cut sapphires in rainbow colours—a labour-intensive setting that commands respect from collectors. The skeletonised dial exposes the movement's architecture, revealing hand-finishing and Côtes de Genève decoration. Water resistance stands at 20 metres, confirming this as a dress-sports piece rather than a tool watch. Production of the 15412OR.01 concluded years ago, placing it firmly in the vintage-modern collector tier.

The rainbow sapphire bezel represents a significant subset within Royal Oak collecting. Unlike monochrome bezels, the gradient setting—progressing through reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples—demands painstaking stone selection and calibration. Each baguette sapphire must be precisely colour-graded and cut to specification, elevating manufacturing complexity and final cost. This variant appeals to collectors seeking individuality without departing from the Royal Oak code.

Ibrahimović's collection, which includes ten Audemars Piguet pieces valued collectively at approximately $4.03 million, reflects methodical acquisition of both current and discontinued references. The 15412OR.01 sitting at $460,000 positions itself mid-tier within his portfolio, yet its skeleton dial and rainbow bezel ensure presence and prestige. For a footballer known for on-pitch swagger and off-pitch sophistication, the rose gold Royal Oak 15412OR.01 delivers restrained opulence—the antithesis of status-symbol excess.

On the secondary market, the 15412OR.01 typically commands $420,000 to $480,000 depending on condition and provenance. Retail pricing at launch exceeded $460,000, with current grey-market examples reflecting stable demand among collectors who prioritise distinctive bezels over dial rarity. Waitlists at authorised dealers have long closed for discontinued references; acquisition now requires private sale channels or specialist dealers. Ibrahimović's visible adoption reinforces the 15412OR.01 as a cornerstone piece for serious Royal Oak enthusiasts.