Rapper Pras Michel spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Pras Michel, the Grammy-winning rapper and co-founder of the Fugees, was recently photographed wearing an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon in 18k rose gold — reference 26510OR — a piece that sits firmly at the intersection of fine watchmaking and cultural currency.

The Royal Oak Tourbillon ref. 26510OR is built around AP's in-house Calibre 2933, a hand-wound movement with a 65-hour power reserve operating at 21,600 vph. The flying tourbillon — positioned at 6 o'clock — requires no bridge above the rotating cage, creating the visual illusion of the complication floating against the dial. The 41mm rose gold case retains the full Royal Oak architecture: Genta's signature octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws, integrated bracelet, and the tapisserie-patterned dial that has defined the line since its 1972 debut.

From a collector standpoint, rose gold Royal Oak Tourbillons occupy a specific niche. They carry the mechanical prestige of the tourbillon complication without the contemporary edge of steel or titanium variants, making them a traditional grand complication statement rather than a grey-market trophy piece. The 26510OR has maintained steady collector interest precisely because it commits fully to classical haute horlogerie values within a case shape that remains culturally relevant across generations.

Pras Michel has long maintained a visible presence in luxury watch culture, consistent with the broader hip-hop community's role in driving mainstream awareness of high-end horology since the 1990s. Spotting a Royal Oak Tourbillon — rather than a Offshore or standard Royal Oak — signals a collector-oriented sensibility rather than pure brand recognition.

The UK list price sits at approximately £110,000, translating to roughly $138,000 USD at current exchange. On the grey market, examples of the 26510OR have traded in the $120,000–$145,000 range depending on condition and completeness of set, tracking closely to retail rather than commanding the significant premiums seen on steel Royal Oak references — a reflection of its positioning as a genuine complication piece for buyers who prioritize the movement over speculation.