Watch Paparazzi

Television presenter Kapil Sharma spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

At what appears to be a Filmfare Times media event in Mumbai, Indian comedian and television presenter Kapil Sharma was photographed with a substantial timepiece on his wrist — an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in full stainless steel. The watch is immediately identifiable from the brushed and polished octagonal bezel, the bold black dial, and the integrated steel bracelet that has made the Offshore one of the most imitated silhouettes in luxury watchmaking.

The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in stainless steel — most likely reference 26170ST.OO.1000ST.08 — houses AP's calibre 3126/3840, a self-winding movement with column wheel chronograph and a 50-hour power reserve. The case measures 42mm across, a size that felt outrageous when the original Offshore debuted in 1993 under designer Emmanuel Gueit, earning it the nickname 'The Beast.' Today that diameter reads as classically proportioned against the broader market. The black mega tapisserie dial with large white Arabic numerals, three subsidiary chronograph registers, and a date aperture at 3 o'clock are all clearly visible in the sighting image.

Collector interest in steel Royal Oak Offshore Chronographs has remained robust. The reference sits in a nuanced position — more accessible than the all-precious-metal variants, yet fully expressing the Offshore DNA. Grey market premiums on steel Offshore chronographs have historically been modest compared to the standard Royal Oak 15202 or 15500, making this reference a rational entry point into serious AP ownership rather than a speculative buy.

Kapil Sharma, host of The Kapil Sharma Show and one of India's highest-earning entertainers, has demonstrated a consistent taste for Swiss sports watches. Choosing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore over the more obvious choices popular in Bollywood circles signals genuine engagement with the watch rather than badge-wearing. The Offshore's unapologetically bold aesthetic suits Sharma's larger-than-life public persona without feeling contrived.

At an official retail price of approximately $27,390 USD, the stainless steel Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph represents a significant but justifiable investment. Grey market values have traded at or slightly above retail in recent years, reflecting stable — if not explosive — demand. For collectors, this is a watch bought to be worn, not flipped.