Musician BASS spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

At what appears to be an industry event or after-party, musician BASS was photographed wearing what is arguably the most theatrically conceived watch Audemars Piguet has ever produced: the Royal Oak Concept 'Black Panther' Flying Tourbillon. Released in 2021 in partnership with Marvel Entertainment, the piece sold out its entire 250-piece run almost immediately, and examples have rarely surfaced on the secondary market at anything close to their original retail price.

The watch is built around a 42 mm case constructed from grade-5 titanium paired with a black ceramic bezel — a material combination that keeps the wrist presence substantial yet surprisingly light. The movement is AP's in-house Calibre 2965, a manually wound flying tourbillon beating at 21,600 vph with a 72-hour power reserve. The architecture is skeletonised to expose the tourbillon cage at approximately the 6 o'clock position, while the Black Panther figure occupies the upper dial register with remarkable sculptural presence. The figure itself is carved from 18-carat white gold and individually hand-painted — a process AP has confirmed requires a dedicated team of miniature painters and multiple firing sessions.

From a collector standpoint, the Royal Oak Concept Black Panther sits in rare company. The combination of a legitimate tourbillon movement, a limited run of 250 pieces globally, and a licensing partnership with one of the world's most recognised IP owners creates a convergence of demand that the supply side cannot match. Grey-market prices have consistently tracked between three and four times the retail figure, which itself was set at $162,500 USD — already a serious ask for any wristwatch.

BASS coordinating his purple shirt and vest ensemble with the watch's Wakanda-purple strap and bezel ring is a deliberate stylistic statement. The colour coherence suggests more than a casual loan; this reads like an owner who selected their outfit around the watch.

For buyers still seeking one, auction houses represent the most reliable route, though bidders should expect to clear $400,000–$450,000 at hammer before fees. Condition and completeness of the original packaging — AP supplies an elaborate Marvel-themed box set — materially affect realised prices.