Singer John Mayer spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

John Mayer has long treated concert stages as informal watch showcases, and a recent live performance provided another striking example. The American singer-songwriter was spotted on stage wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin in platinum, reference 26510PT — a piece that sits firmly at the apex of the Royal Oak family and demands attention from any serious collector in the room.

The 26510PT was introduced at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in January 2016, representing Audemars Piguet's determination to push the Royal Oak's mechanical boundaries further than the Offshore-era volume plays. The 41mm platinum case houses Calibre 2924, a hand-wound flying tourbillon beating at 21,600 vph and delivering a 70-hour power reserve. At a total case thickness of just 6.4mm — remarkably lean for a tourbillon of this complexity — the movement required AP's engineers to redesign the tourbillon cage architecture from first principles. The signature smoky grey fumé dial retains the iconic Grande Tapisserie pattern and applied hour markers, sitting in perfect tonal harmony with the cold lustre of 950 platinum.

The reference is offered in two distinct configurations: a plain polished bezel and a diamond-set bezel. Both versions have attracted strong collector attention, but together they present an interesting collecting dilemma — one that Mayer apparently resolved by acquiring both. That detail, casually revealed via caption, says a great deal about his engagement with horology as a discipline rather than a lifestyle accessory.

Mayer's watch collection is among the most discussed in celebrity circles precisely because it reflects genuine knowledge. He has collaborated with Audemars Piguet, spoken publicly about the technical details of pieces he owns, and consistently chooses references that reward closer inspection. Wearing a 26510PT on stage, under lights, in front of thousands, is the kind of move only someone truly at ease with the piece would make.

On the market, the Royal Oak Tourbillon Extra-Thin 26510PT carries an official retail price in excess of $280,000 USD, reflecting both the platinum case and the complexity of Calibre 2924. Grey-market premiums on platinum tourbillon Royal Oaks have remained firm, with demand from serious collectors keeping supply tight. For a piece of this calibre — in every sense — that scarcity is entirely justified.