Actor Kareena Kapoor spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

At a Bollywood press event, Kareena Kapoor — one of Hindi cinema's most bankable stars — was photographed with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph strapped to her wrist. The piece immediately draws the eye: a forged carbon octagonal case contrasted by a diamond-set bezel, black rubber strap, and the signature mega tapisserie dial in matte black with white Arabic numerals and a red central chronograph seconds hand. It is precisely the kind of horological contradiction — brutalist material, jewelled finishing — that defines the Offshore's identity.

The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in forged carbon, reference 26176FO.OO.D101CR.01, houses Audemars Piguet's Calibre 3126/3840, a self-winding column-wheel chronograph movement with a 50-hour power reserve. The forged carbon case measures 42 mm and is produced by compressing carbon fibers under extreme heat and pressure, yielding a material with a tensile strength exceeding many metals at roughly one-quarter the weight. The result is a case that is uniquely patterned — no two are identical — yet almost impossible to scratch under normal wear conditions.

From a collector standpoint, the forged carbon Offshore occupies a distinct niche. It was one of AP's early serious explorations of high-tech materials in the early-to-mid 2000s, predating the broader industry pivot toward ceramic and carbon composites. The diamond bezel variant adds a layer of controversy among purists — some find the juxtaposition of industrial carbon and precious stones incoherent; others consider it the definitive expression of the Offshore's rock-and-roll excess. Either way, it commands attention on the secondary market.

Kareena Kapoor's watch choices have consistently leaned toward bold, recognizable luxury — she is not a collector who hides in understatement. The Offshore Carbon suits her public persona: confident, high-visibility, and indifferent to conventional rules. Wearing it with a simple black polo rather than couture is itself a statement.

At original retail the piece was listed around $28,500 USD, though grey market values have since appreciated meaningfully given AP's tightening allocations and the discontinued status of several carbon Offshore references. Current secondary market prices for this configuration with diamond bezel typically range between $32,000 and $38,000 USD depending on condition and provenance.