Tennis player Aryna Sabalenka spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 tennis player, made a striking horological statement while attending AC Milan's 3-0 victory over US Lecce at San Siro, wearing the newly released Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 37mm Ref. 15553BA in 18K yellow gold. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 37mm Ref. 15553BA.OO.1356BA.04 represents a fresh direction for the iconic integrated-bracelet sports watch line, substituting traditional dial materials for a natural malachite stone surface. The malachite dial eliminates the date window at 3 o'clock—a significant departure from its 41mm sibling, the Ref. 15513BA, and the turquoise-dialed Ref. 15550BA that retained the date complication. Each malachite dial is inherently singular due to the mineral's concentric peacock-eye banding patterns, rendering no two examples identical. The 37mm case measures 8.1mm in thickness and maintains the Royal Oak's octagonal bezel with its characteristic eight hexagonal screws. Water resistance reaches 50 metres, standard for the modern Royal Oak line. The movement and bracelet construction align with current Audemars Piguet specifications for the reference, pairing Swiss finishing with the brand's signature Tapisserie dial finishing visible on the reverse.

Among collectors, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 15553BA occupies a unique position: it merges the prestige of precious metal with the distinctive visual character of stone dials, a technique Audemars Piguet has employed across multiple references in recent years. The malachite variant distinguishes itself from the turquoise and other stone-dial iterations through its deeper green tonality and the subtlety of its mineral patterning—qualities that evoke the imagery of the FIFA World Cup trophy, whose base features malachite stone. The 37mm size further differentiates the reference from larger men's sports watches, aligning instead with a modern aesthetic favouring proportionality and wearability across genders.

Sabalenka's selection of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 15553BA reflects a growing trend among professional athletes toward dress-sports watches that balance technical horological credibility with refined presentation. The tennis champion's choice underscores the Royal Oak's evolution beyond purely technical sporting instruments into lifestyle accessories for high-profile figures. Her appearance at San Siro—a footballing arena—alongside a watch resonant with World Cup imagery creates a natural synergy between sport and horology.

Retail pricing for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 37mm Ref. 15553BA in 18K yellow gold positions the reference at the upper tier of sports watch retail, reflecting both the precious metal and the artisanal stone-dial finishing. Current grey-market availability remains limited, with demand driven by the reference's recent introduction and the visual distinctiveness of malachite as a dial material. Collectors should anticipate waitlist situations at authorized Audemars Piguet retailers, a commonplace occurrence for new precious metal Royal Oak variants.