Watch Paparazzi

Basketball player JR Smith spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

JR Smith, then playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, was caught wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked reference 15407ST — a watch that demands closer inspection from anyone who thinks openworked dials are purely decorative statements.

The 15407ST houses calibre 3132, a self-winding movement built on AP's double balance wheel system, which pairs two linked balance wheels on a shared axis. The mechanism averages out positional errors between the two oscillators, improving isochronism without resorting to a tourbillon. The result is a movement that earns its skeleton treatment: every bridge, every gear, every decorated surface is visible through the characteristic Royal Oak octagonal bezel, measuring 41mm in stainless steel with the iconic integrated bracelet designed by Gérald Genta in 1972. Water resistance sits at 50 metres, and power reserve runs to approximately 40 hours.

The Royal Oak Openworked Double Balance Wheel occupies an interesting position in the AP catalogue. It delivers horological credibility — a proprietary complication with measurable functional benefit — while remaining within reach of collectors who find the grand complications prohibitively priced. Since its debut, the 15407 family has built a steady collector following among enthusiasts who want substance behind the skeletonised aesthetic. The stainless steel reference is particularly sought after, consistently outperforming its precious-metal siblings on the secondary market in terms of demand relative to supply.

Smith has long been one of the NBA's more knowledgeable watch collectors, gravitating toward pieces with technical depth rather than mere brand recognition. The 15407ST fits that profile precisely — it reads as an AP Royal Oak at a glance, but rewards anyone who looks longer with genuine movement architecture worth studying.

On the grey market, the 15407ST in stainless steel trades at a meaningful premium over its original list price, reflecting both the broader Royal Oak demand surge of recent years and the specific appeal of the double balance wheel complication. For a watch combining an iconic case design with a proprietary mechanical innovation, the market positioning remains well justified.