Watch Paparazzi

Comedian Kevin Hart spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Kevin Hart has long been recognized as one of the most serious watch collectors in the entertainment industry, and his latest sighting confirms he operates at the very top of that game. The comedian was photographed wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked Tourbillon in stainless steel, reference 26735ST — a piece released as part of the brand's celebrated 50th Anniversary Royal Oak collection and one of the most complex iterations of Gérald Genta's legendary 1972 design.

The 26735ST is powered by the Calibre 2924, a manually wound flying tourbillon movement that required Audemars Piguet's artisans to execute openworking — the painstaking removal of excess metal — while maintaining full structural and mechanical integrity. The movement beats at 21,600 vph and offers approximately 70 hours of power reserve. The 41mm stainless steel case retains the signature octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws, while the skeletonized dial eliminates any visual barrier between the wearer and the movement architecture beneath. Both the dial side and the caseback offer unobstructed views of the tourbillon cage in motion.

From a collector standpoint, the 26735ST carries considerable weight. Stainless steel Audemars Piguet Royal Oak references have historically outperformed their precious metal counterparts on the secondary market, and a complication of this caliber — a flying tourbillon with full openworking — released specifically for the 50th Anniversary makes this reference especially desirable. It was not produced in large numbers, and examples seldom surface without a meaningful premium attached.

Hart's affinity for high-complication timepieces is well documented. He has been spotted wearing everything from Richard Mille to Patek Philippe, but this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked Tourbillon ref. 26735ST signals a collector with genuine technical appreciation, not merely a taste for brand recognition. The piece suits his personality — bold, architectural, and built around performance.

At a list price of approximately $240,000, the 26735ST was already positioned at the upper tier of Audemars Piguet's catalog. On the grey market, demand for anniversary Royal Oak references in steel, particularly those carrying grand complications, has pushed prices well beyond retail. This is not a watch that sits idle in a safe — it is made to be worn, and Hart is doing exactly that.