Actor Ron Vlaar spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Ron Vlaar, the Dutch defender who anchored Aston Villa's backline and earned over 30 caps for the Netherlands national team, was recently spotted wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore in reference 26401RO.OO.A002CA.01 — one of the more technically ambitious configurations in the Offshore lineup, combining precious metal with advanced composite materials in a single 44mm package.

The 26401RO sits at an interesting crossroads within the Royal Oak Offshore family. Its case is crafted in 18-carat pink gold, yet the octagonal bezel is fashioned from forged carbon — a high-pressure composite material that exhibits unique, non-repeating fiber patterns, meaning no two bezels are visually identical. The dial follows suit in textured black forged carbon, creating a deliberate visual tension between warm precious metal and the industrial modernity of the carbon. Powering the watch is AP's in-house Calibre 3126/3840, a self-winding movement with a column-wheel chronograph, date display, and a 50-hour power reserve. The caseback is secured with eight signature AP hexagonal screws, a nod directly to the original Gerald Genta design language established in 1972.

From a collector's standpoint, the pink gold and forged carbon pairing occupies a distinct niche. It avoids the relative ubiquity of stainless steel Offshore references while stopping short of the full precious-metal versions that can feel more conservative. The forged carbon components add horological interest and a sporting character that pure gold cases sometimes lack. This reference has maintained steady demand on the secondary market, particularly among buyers who want AP's most recognisable silhouette with a material story worth discussing.

Vlaar's affinity for the piece makes contextual sense. The Royal Oak Offshore was purpose-built to project athletic ambition — launched in 1993 as a deliberately oversized, more aggressive evolution of the original Royal Oak. Professional footballers have long gravitated toward the Offshore, and Vlaar's choice of the rose gold carbon variant suggests considered taste rather than default celebrity selection.

At a UK RRP of approximately £30,000, the 26401RO sits firmly in AP's premium Offshore tier. On the grey market, rose gold Offshore references with exotic dials have historically traded at or modestly above retail, underpinned by consistent demand from both watch collectors and the broader luxury sports market.