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Musician Diplo spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Diplo, the Grammy-nominated producer and Major Lazer frontman, was recently spotted on the wrist-watch radar wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak in 18k rose gold, reference 15400OR — one of the most recognizable configurations of the Royal Oak family and a watch that occupies serious real estate in the upper tier of Swiss haute horlogerie.

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400OR is a 41mm iteration of Gerald Genta's landmark 1972 design, here executed in 18k pink gold with the model's hallmark "Grande Tapisserie" dial. The case retains the iconic octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws, the hallmark feature that made the original Royal Oak a radical statement when it launched at CHF 3,650 — then the price of a small car. Inside sits AP's Calibre 3120, a self-winding movement with a 60-hour power reserve, 280 components, and a 21k gold rotor. The movement beats at 21,600 vph and is decorated with Geneva stripes and beveled bridges, visible through the sapphire caseback.

The 15400OR sits at the intersection of the Royal Oak's sporting DNA and undisguised luxury. Where the stainless steel 15400ST appeals to purists on the basis of heritage fidelity, the rose gold variant makes no apology for extravagance. Collectors have long debated the merits of precious-metal Royal Oaks versus steel, but the 15400OR has carved out its own devoted following — particularly among buyers who want the architecture of the Royal Oak with a warmer, more precious-metal presence. The reference has since been succeeded by the 15500OR, but the 15400OR remains actively sought on the secondary market.

Diplo's taste in watches has leaned consistently toward the bold and high-value — the Royal Oak 15400OR fits squarely within that profile. The rose gold case reads with equal authority in a recording studio or at a festival headline set, which suits a musician whose career has never been constrained by genre or context.

On the grey market, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400OR commands a meaningful premium over its original retail positioning, reflecting sustained global demand for Royal Oak references in precious metals. With AP having transitioned the core 41mm Royal Oak lineup to the 15500 series, discontinued 15400OR examples — especially in rose gold — attract collectors looking to acquire a now-closed chapter of Royal Oak history.