Watch Paparazzi

Boxer Anthony Joshua spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Anthony Joshua, two-time IBF, WBA, and WBO heavyweight champion of the world, was recently spotted with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in stainless steel — specifically Reference 26470ST — on his wrist. For an athlete of his stature and public profile, the choice is hardly surprising, but it is entirely appropriate: few watches project physical authority quite like the Offshore.

The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Reference 26470ST measures 42mm in diameter in stainless steel with a black ceramic bezel insert, sapphire crystal, and a black dial with the signature 'Méga Tapisserie' pattern — a bolder, raised version of the Royal Oak's classic 'Petite Tapisserie.' Pushers and crown are dressed in black rubber, reinforcing the sport-tool aesthetic that has defined the Offshore since its controversial 1993 debut. Water resistance sits at 100 metres. The case alone took the original Royal Oak's luxury-sport DNA and pushed it firmly into oversized, high-impact territory.

Powering the 26470ST is the Calibre 3126/3840, an integrated automatic movement bearing the AP hallmark finish — bevelled bridges, côtes de Genève, and blued screws. The chronograph function operates via column wheel, and the movement delivers a 60-hour power reserve at 21,600 vph. It is a robust, well-decorated manufacture calibre that holds its own against comparable complications from Patek Philippe and Rolex in terms of finishing quality.

Collectors regard the 26470ST as the definitive entry point into the Offshore chronograph family — steel keeps acquisition costs realistic relative to gold or ceramic references, while the classic black-on-black execution avoids the divisive colourways that can date a sports watch quickly. It is also one of the most recognisable references in AP's modern catalogue, which matters for a figure as photographed as Joshua.

At a UK list price of approximately £21,300 — roughly $26,500 USD at time of listing — the 26470ST sits in the premium but attainable tier of the Offshore range. Grey-market values have softened from pandemic highs but remain close to retail, typically trading between $22,000 and $26,000 USD depending on condition and papers. For a world champion who has earned nine figures in the ring, it is a considered, confident choice rather than a statement of excess.