Watch Paparazzi

Comedian Kevin Hart spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Kevin Hart was recently spotted on the wrist wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton in 18K pink gold, reference 26223OR — a timepiece that places him firmly in a very small circle of collectors worldwide who own one.

The Royal Oak Concept line was introduced in 2002 as Audemars Piguet's platform for pushing complication development beyond the constraints of the classic Royal Oak aesthetic. The ref. 26223OR represents one of the most resolved expressions of that philosophy. Its 44mm pink gold case follows the iconic octagonal bezel architecture designed by Gérald Genta, but everything beneath the sapphire crystal is a deliberate departure from convention. The movement — calibre 2933 — is a manually wound, skeletonized manufacture calibre featuring a flying tourbillon at six o'clock and a column-wheel-controlled chronograph. Running at 21,600 vph with a 70-hour power reserve, it is built to impress engineers as much as aesthetes.

The fully openworked architecture means the wearer — and anyone nearby — can observe the tourbillon cage rotating in real time and track the chronograph mechanism engaging with each push of the pusher. AP's finishing on the Concept calibre is deliberately industrial in parts, with brushed titanium bridges and blackened components creating contrast against the warm pink gold case. It is a coherent design statement rather than decoration for decoration's sake.

From a collector standpoint, the Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Chronograph in precious metal references occupies rarified territory. Production numbers are extremely limited, and the combination of a grand complication, skeletonization, and precious metal case in a single reference drives both desirability and secondary market resilience. The ref. 26223OR has a UK list price of approximately £250,000, placing it among the most expensive references in AP's standard catalogue.

Kevin Hart has built a genuine reputation as a serious watch collector, with an AP-heavy collection that includes multiple Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore references. Spotting the 26223OR on his wrist is consistent with a collector who has moved well beyond entry-level AP ownership into grand complication territory — and who clearly understands what he is wearing.