Watch Paparazzi

Actor Naga Chaitanya spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Naga Chaitanya, one of Telugu cinema's most recognisable leading men, was recently photographed with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad 18K Rose Gold Chronograph on his wrist — a watch that sits at a genuinely interesting intersection of haute horlogerie and technical sportswear aesthetics. The sighting adds meaningful weight to his growing reputation as a serious watch collector within Indian film circles.

The Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad, most likely reference 26470OR.OO.A002CA.01, was introduced as part of AP's expanded Offshore palette that pushed the original Gerald Genta-designed Royal Oak language into decidedly more aggressive territory. The defining construction detail is the forged 18K rose gold case — all 44mm of it — wrapped in moulded vulcanised black rubber across the case flanks, crown guards, and integrated lug areas. This is not a coating or a veneer; it is a precision over-moulding process that requires the rubber to bond structurally to the gold substrate. The result is a watch that feels simultaneously industrial and precious in hand.

The dial visible in the photograph is the classic dark slate-grey chronograph layout with large Arabic numerals, three contrasting subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, and AP's signature tapisserie guilloché texture. The movement powering the piece is the Calibre 3126/3840 — an integrated automatic column-wheel chronograph with a 21K gold rotor, 59 jewels, and approximately 60 hours of power reserve. It runs at 21,600 vph, a deliberate choice for smooth chronograph engagement rather than raw precision ticking.

From a collector standpoint, the Rubber Clad occupies a specific niche: it attracts buyers who want the prestige and craftsmanship of 18K gold without the conventional dress-watch presentation. Secondary market demand has remained stable, and rose gold examples consistently command premiums over stainless steel Offshore references. The combination of precious metal, COSC-class movement, and sporty rubber architecture keeps this reference relevant across multiple collector generations.

At an official retail of approximately $34,000 USD, Naga Chaitanya's choice signals genuine engagement with the AP catalogue. This is not an entry-level Offshore — it is a deliberate, informed acquisition from a family with deep roots in Indian cinema and, evidently, an appreciation for serious Swiss watchmaking.