Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Meek Mills spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Meek Mill has been photographed wearing one of Audemars Piguet's most technically complex and visually striking sport watches: the Royal Oak Openworked Extra-Thin in black ceramic, reference 15416CE. The sighting confirms the Philadelphia rapper's taste runs well beyond the usual gateway luxury pieces, landing firmly in collector territory.

The Royal Oak Openworked 15416CE is built around the manually wound Calibre 3132, a skeletonized movement derived from the ultra-thin 2121 architecture that has defined the Royal Oak since Gerald Genta's original 1972 design. Running at 19,800 vph with a 40-hour power reserve, the movement is finished to the same meticulous Côtes de Genève and beveling standards as a fully dialed Royal Oak — arguably more demanding given every bridge and plate is exposed to view. The 41mm case in black ceramic is the detail that sets this reference apart: AP machines the material to achieve the same sharp angles and mirror-polished surfaces as its steel counterparts, a process that demands significantly more time and tooling due to ceramic's extreme hardness and brittleness.

Among collectors, the 15416CE occupies a specific niche. It combines two individually desirable Royal Oak variants — the openwork and the ceramic — into a single reference that is both technically impressive and aesthetically bold. Black ceramic Royal Oaks have historically commanded strong secondary-market premiums, and the openworked dial adds a layer of watchmaking theater that appeals to buyers who want more than a status symbol. Production numbers are limited, and the watch rarely sits unsold at authorized dealers.

Meek Mill's watch collection has evolved publicly over the years, and the 15416CE represents a meaningful step into more serious horology. It is the kind of watch that works as statement jewelry under stage lighting but rewards closer inspection with genuine mechanical substance — a balance that resonates with a collector-minded celebrity audience.

At UK list price of approximately £76,900 — translating to roughly $97,000 USD at current exchange — the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked 15416CE sits at the upper tier of the standard Royal Oak range. On the grey market, demand for ceramic AP references has kept values firm, with this reference frequently trading above retail, reflecting both its scarcity and the enduring strength of the Royal Oak's collector base.