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Footballer Radja Nainggolan spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Radja Nainggolan, the Belgian midfielder who built cult status across Roma, Inter Milan, and the Italian footballing imagination, has been photographed wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph reference 26400SO — a watch that matches his own reputation for uncompromising character.

The ref. 26400SO sits within the third generation of the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph line, introduced by Audemars Piguet as a direct evolution of Gerald Genta's landmark 1993 original. This specific variant distinguishes itself through a 44mm stainless steel case married to a forged carbon bezel — a high-tech composite formed under extreme heat and pressure, producing a unique grain pattern on every single piece. The dial side mirrors the drama: a textured 'Méga Tapisserie' motif in anthracite tones, applied luminous indices, and a trio of chronograph subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Water resistance reaches 100 metres.

Powering the 26400SO is the manufacture calibre 3126/3840 — a column-wheel, vertical-clutch chronograph movement with automatic winding via a peripheral rotor. It delivers a 50-hour power reserve and operates at 21,600 vph. The movement is visible through a sapphire caseback, finished to AP's rigorous standards with a combination of anglage, circular graining, and côtes de Genève.

Among collectors, the carbon-bezel Offshore occupies a specific niche: sporty enough to satisfy those drawn to the line's roots in extreme sports and oversized watchmaking, yet refined enough in its proportions and finishing to appeal to buyers who want something beyond a purely utilitarian tool watch. The reference has aged gracefully in market perception, avoiding the speculation peaks of some AP references while retaining solid demand.

Nainggolan — nicknamed 'Il Ninja' for his aggressive midfield style and recognised equally for his tattooed, maximalist personal aesthetic — is a natural fit for the Offshore family's ethos. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph ref. 26400SO retails in the mid-to-upper range of the Offshore catalogue, and on the secondary market it continues to command a premium consistent with AP's broader brand strength.