Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Rich The Kid spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Rich The Kid has never been shy about his taste for high-end timepieces, but his latest wrist sighting raises the bar considerably. The rapper was recently photographed wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in black ceramic, reference 26579CE — a watch that occupies rarefied territory even within AP's own catalogue.

The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26579CE is built around the calibre 5134, a self-winding movement running at 2.75Hz with a 40-hour power reserve. Its perpetual calendar mechanism accounts for months of different lengths and leap years automatically, requiring no correction until February 28, 2100. The 41mm black ceramic case is finished to AP's exacting standard of alternating brushed and polished surfaces — an achievement made vastly more difficult in ceramic than in steel or gold, given the material's extreme hardness. The slate-grey Grande Tapisserie dial carries hours, minutes, date, day, month, moon phase, and leap year indicator across a layout that remains remarkably legible.

AP introduced ceramic into the Royal Oak family selectively, and the perpetual calendar variant has always been among its most collectible expressions. The 26579CE commands attention not just for its aesthetics but because it represents the convergence of haute horology and avant-garde material science — a combination that resonates strongly with serious collectors. Grey-market premiums on this reference have been sustained and significant, a reliable indicator of genuine demand rather than speculative flipping.

Rich The Kid's watch collection is well documented in hip-hop circles, spanning Patek Philippe, Richard Mille, and AP. Gravitating toward the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar in black ceramic signals an understanding of the catalogue beyond the obvious AP Royal Oak Offshore statement pieces. This is a collector's choice as much as a flex.

At a list price of approximately $83,500, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26579CE is already a serious acquisition. On the secondary market, however, the piece is currently trading closer to $375,000 — a premium of roughly 4.5x retail. That figure reflects genuine scarcity and consistent collector appetite, making this one of the more compelling long-term holds in modern AP production.