Watch Paparazzi

Actor Dwayne The Rock Johnson spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has been photographed wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Reference 15400OR, the 41mm rose gold iteration of one of watchmaking's most enduring icons. For a man whose personal brand trades in commanding presence, the choice of solid 18K rose gold over the more common stainless steel speaks volumes about his position as a serious watch collector rather than a casual enthusiast.

The Royal Oak Reference 15400OR sits at the heart of the modern AP lineup. Launched as part of the 15400 generation — which succeeded the long-running 15300 — it houses the manufacture Calibre 3120, an automatic movement beating at 21,600 vph with a generous 60-hour power reserve. The 41mm rose gold case features the signature eight-bolt bezel and integrated bracelet, all in 18K pink gold, paired with a silvered 'Grande Tapisserie' dial. Sapphire crystal, 50-metre water resistance, and a date aperture at 3 o'clock complete a specification sheet that balances sportiness with outright luxury.

Gerald Genta designed the original Royal Oak in a single overnight session in 1972, producing a watch that defied convention by charging a premium for steel. The rose gold versions have always occupied a different psychological space — these are not the discreet steel pieces favoured by purists, but bold statements of connoisseurship. The 15400OR has since been discontinued, superseded by the 15500OR, which makes surviving examples increasingly attractive on the secondary market.

Johnson's watch collection is well-documented and consistently impressive. He gravitates toward high-complication pieces and iconic references from AP, Rolex, and Richard Mille — brands that reward both cultural literacy and significant investment. The Royal Oak in rose gold aligns precisely with the aesthetic register he maintains: recognisable to insiders, unambiguous to everyone else.

On the market, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400OR carried a UK list price of approximately £42,600 at retail. With the reference now discontinued, grey-market values have moved accordingly, with clean examples regularly trading above retail. For collectors, the 15400OR represents a transitional moment in Royal Oak history — desirable precisely because its window has closed.