Model Kriss Roma spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Model and influencer Kriss Roma recently posed with a striking example of horological craftsmanship: an Audemars Piguet Ref. 4274SA 'Zebra' from the 1980s. The watch, personalised with hand-engraved detailing across its surfaces, demonstrates one of the brand's most inventive material-fusion experiments of that decade. The sighting, documented in a campaign image against a wood-panelled backdrop, captures the watch on the wrist in full context, revealing the watch's distinctive integrated bracelet and contrasting striped aesthetic.

The Ref. 4274SA distinguishes itself through its proprietary casting process: steel and yellow gold are fused at the foundry level to create permanent striations rather than applied inlays or overlays. This technique runs through the case, dial, and three-link integrated bracelet, generating a coherent visual language that few integrated designs achieve. The rectangular case measures approximately 28 × 40 mm, housing an Audemars Piguet manually-wound movement. Water resistance sits at 20 metres—typical of dress watches from the era. The dial layout, framed by the striped bezel and case geometry, emphasises simplicity; applied indices and a slim hand set keep focus on the material interplay rather than complication.

What elevates the 4274SA in collector circles is its conceptual boldness. While Rolex would later employ tri-colour gold-fusion techniques in the Prince Tiger Stripe and certain Tridor bracelets, Audemars Piguet's 4274SA predates widespread awareness of such methods. The 1980s production run was modest, and examples with full hand-engraved personalisation remain scarce. This particular piece, documented on the wrist of a high-profile figure, represents not a sports watch or diving instrument but a contemplative exercise in material science and aesthetics.

Roma's choice to wear a bespoke 1980s Audemars Piguet rather than a contemporary luxury piece signals an appreciation for technical depth over marketing narrative. The Ref. 4274SA appeals to collectors who value engineering over brand narrative—those who recognise that Audemars Piguet's mid-century and 1980s integrated designs rivalled anything from the Swiss mainstream. The hand-engraved customisation adds personal significance without diminishing the watch's original character.

Market data on the 4274SA remains sparse, as few examples circulate beyond specialist dealers. Estimated retail in 1985 would have positioned the steel-and-gold fusion version around $4,000–$5,500 USD; contemporary grey-market valuations for well-preserved examples range from $6,500 to $12,000 depending on condition and provenance. Pieces with documented custom engraving command premium within this range. As integrated-design collecting grows, the 4274SA's reputation as a precursor to modern material fusion continues to strengthen.