Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Stormzy spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Stormzy was photographed wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph reference 26331ST, the stainless steel variant featuring the brand's signature blue Grande Tapisserie dial. The sighting underlines the grime artist's consistent preference for pieces that carry genuine mechanical credibility rather than purely decorative status.

The Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26331ST is powered by the calibre 2385, an integrated automatic column-wheel chronograph movement that Audemars Piguet developed in-house. Running at 21,600 vph with a 40-hour power reserve, the movement is visible through a sapphire caseback and represents a fundamentally different proposition from the ébauche-based chronographs that populate the luxury segment at similar price points. The 41mm stainless steel case retains the octagonal bezel with its eight hexagonal screws — Gerald Genta's 1972 design that effectively invented the luxury sports watch category. The blue dial, with its three-dimensional hobnail pattern, changes character dramatically under different lighting conditions.

Among collectors, the ref. 26331ST occupies a nuanced position. It is the entry point into Royal Oak chronograph ownership in steel — a configuration that, for decades, has been one of the most coveted references in the entire AP catalogue. Demand for steel Royal Oak Chronographs consistently outstrips supply at authorised dealers, pushing grey-market premiums well above list. The blue dial variant is particularly sought after, as the colour interacts with the tapisserie pattern in a way the white and silver dials do not replicate.

Stormzy has established himself as one of the UK's most watch-literate artists, with sightings spanning Rolex, Patek Philippe, and AP across the spectrum of complication and complexity. His choice of the 26331ST rather than a more ostentatious precious-metal configuration suggests a collector's sensibility — the steel Royal Oak Chronograph is the variant that serious enthusiasts tend to prioritise.

At a UK list price of £20,500, the ref. 26331ST sits at the upper boundary of the steel sports chronograph market. On the secondary market, strong demand and constrained authorised dealer availability have sustained grey-market premiums, with the blue dial variant among the most liquid references in the Royal Oak Chronograph range.