Michael Jordan’s watch collection is legendary, outshining even the collections of celebrities like Ed Sheeran and John Mayer. His latest acquisition is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked, a timepiece that further cements his status as a horological icon.
Recently, Jordan was spotted wearing this impressive watch at the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony. Although this event took place a couple of weeks ago, the sight of Jordan sporting a skeletonized Royal Oak demands attention. Both Jordan and the Royal Oak are synonymous with greatness in their fields, making them perfect companions for such an occasion.
The Royal Oak, introduced by Audemars Piguet in 1972, was a groundbreaking luxury sports watch designed by Gérald Genta. His brief was to create a “steel sports watch like never before,” and he delivered a piece that not only met this challenge but also set the standard for a new category of integrated-bracelet timepieces. Today, the Royal Oak is renowned for its distinctive design, high price tags, and thin automatic movements.
The Double Balance Wheel Openworked version of the Royal Oak represents a sophisticated twist on this classic model. Encased in a 41mm stainless steel case with the signature integrated bracelet, it features a pink gold-toned inner bezel and a movement that is visible through its openworked design. The pink gold bezel screws add a touch of elegance and complete the watch’s striking appearance. This model, reference 15407ST.OO.1220ST.02, brings a touch of nostalgia with its two-tone design, showcasing the dual balance wheels that enhance its accuracy. This feature improves chronometric precision without the need for additional gear trains or differential components, which could otherwise affect the power reserve.
The double balance wheels are housed in Audemars Piguet’s Calibre 3132 automatic movement. This intricate movement, visible through both the dial and the sapphire crystal caseback, measures just 4.4mm in height and provides a 45-hour power reserve. Despite its complex mechanics, the watch itself remains remarkably slim at 9.9mm thick. With a price tag of $76,400, it’s not exactly a casual piece, but considering Jordan’s history of wearing extravagant timepieces, it wouldn’t be surprising if he used it as an everyday watch.
Jordan’s penchant for impressive watches is well known, as evidenced by his past choice to wear a $2 million triple-axis tourbillon to a celebration for his NASCAR team. Given his track record, the Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked could very well become his new go-to piece, embodying his blend of luxury and performance.
