Watch Paparazzi

American football player Shannon Sharpe spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Shannon Sharpe, three-time Super Bowl champion and one of the most recognizable voices in American sports broadcasting, was recently spotted wearing one of the most coveted limited-edition Royal Oaks in recent memory — the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph in 18K yellow gold with a green dial, reference 26331BA, restricted to a global production run of just 125 pieces.

The 26331BA sits within the Royal Oak Chronograph family, housing Audemars Piguet's calibre 2385 — a self-winding integrated column-wheel chronograph movement with a 40-hour power reserve, beating at 21,600 vph. The 41mm yellow gold case follows the iconic Gerald Genta-designed octagonal bezel with its eight hexagonal screws, while the green tapisserie dial adds a chromatic tension that photographs exceptionally well against warm gold. Subdials at three and nine o'clock maintain the clean architectural symmetry that has defined the Royal Oak since its 1972 debut.

From a collector standpoint, the 26331BA occupies a particularly sharp niche. Yellow gold Royal Oaks already command strong premiums over their stainless steel counterparts, and the green dial variant — released as part of a tightly controlled limited edition — has become one of the more aggressively appreciating references in the modern AP catalogue. With just 125 examples in circulation, authenticated sightings on high-profile wrists only compound demand further.

Sharpe's watch sensibility has become as discussed in certain circles as his broadcasting takes. The former tight end has built a collection that leans toward statement pieces, and the 26331BA fits that profile precisely — it is neither understated nor gratuitous, but rather the choice of someone who understands what they are wearing. The green-and-gold combination also carries obvious personal resonance for a man whose career was defined by the Denver Broncos' iconic colour scheme.

At a list price of $74,800, the Royal Oak Chronograph 26331BA was already a significant acquisition. On the current grey market, authenticated examples are trading closer to $480,000 — a premium that reflects both the scarcity of 125 total units and the sustained global appetite for yellow gold AP references with unusual dial colours. For collectors tracking limited Royal Oak chronographs, this reference remains one of the clearest illustrations of how AP's limited-edition strategy continues to reshape secondary market valuations.