Watch Paparazzi

Singer John Mayer spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

John Mayer has been photographed wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Reference 26405CG, the full grey ceramic iteration of the iconic Offshore chronograph. For a collector of Mayer's depth, this is not a casual wrist choice — the 26405CG represents one of the most technically demanding references in the entire Royal Oak Offshore lineage.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Ref. 26405CG measures 44mm in diameter and is constructed entirely from high-tech grey ceramic, including the bezel and bracelet — a manufacturing feat that requires sintering and machining a material with a Vickers hardness far exceeding that of stainless steel. The dial features the signature Méga Tapisserie pattern, a bold, deep-relief checkerboard texture that is larger in scale than the classic Petite Tapisserie found on Royal Oak models, reinforcing the Offshore's more assertive design language. Subdials and indices are rendered in tonal grey, creating a monochromatic aesthetic that is cohesive and deliberately restrained.

Powering the watch is the Calibre 3126/3840, a column-wheel automatic chronograph movement with a 50-hour power reserve. The movement features a peripheral rotor and offers hours, minutes, small seconds, and a 12-hour chronograph — a robust and proven architecture that AP has refined over multiple decades. The sapphire caseback allows direct appreciation of the movement's finishing.

The Royal Oak Offshore was launched in 1993, designed by Emmanuel Gueit as a more aggressive, sport-forward extension of Gerald Genta's original 1972 Royal Oak. The ceramic references entered the collection as AP pushed material innovation, appealing to collectors who want functional durability alongside haute horlogerie credentials. The 26405CG in grey ceramic occupies a specific niche: it is neither the entry-level steel Offshore nor an ultra-limited precious metal piece — it sits in the serious collector tier.

John Mayer's watch collection is extensively documented and genuinely respected within the hobby, encompassing vintage Patek Philippe, rare Rolexes, and independent makers. Wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 26405CG signals an appreciation for material engineering as much as brand prestige. At a UK list price of approximately £34,000, grey market premiums have historically kept this reference trading above retail.