Watch Paparazzi

Singer Patrick Bruel spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

At what appears to be a Parisian film premiere or industry event, French singer Patrick Bruel was photographed with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked Selfwinding on his wrist. The watch sits comfortably beneath a black blazer — barely visible, which is entirely in keeping with the piece's philosophy: a watch for those who already know.

The reference in question is almost certainly the 15305ST.OO.1220ST.01, the 39mm stainless steel Royal Oak Openworked Selfwinding. The octagonal bezel with eight H-shaped screws, the integrated brushed and polished steel bracelet, and the fully skeletonized dial are all consistent with this reference. The grey-toned openworked dial — absent any subdials — and the absence of rose gold or yellow gold accents confirm the all-steel configuration. The case dimensions sit at 39mm x 9.5mm, giving it a dressy profile that works equally well under a suit or with jeans, as Bruel demonstrates here.

Powering the watch is the Calibre 3132, an automatic movement with a 40-hour power reserve, beating at 21,600 vph. The movement is based on the renowned Calibre 2121 architecture — the ultra-thin movement that made the original 1972 Royal Oak possible — but here it has been opened up to expose the bridges, wheels, and barrel in what AP describes as a double-sided openworking. The result is a dial that reads as mechanical sculpture rather than mere timekeeping surface.

Patrick Bruel has long been associated with refined, classic style rather than ostentatious luxury — a sensibility that maps neatly onto the Royal Oak Openworked. Where other celebrities reach for diamond-set or two-tone variants, Bruel opts for a restrained, all-steel piece whose appeal is entirely dependent on horological literacy. It is a collector's watch dressed as a gentleman's watch.

On the secondary market, the 15305ST commands significant premiums over its already substantial retail price. Grey-market values have stabilized in the $60,000–$75,000 range depending on condition and documentation, reflecting both the enduring demand for Royal Oak references and the relative scarcity of openworked models compared to standard dial variants. For Bruel, it is a quietly serious choice — and all the more impressive for it.