Audemars Piguet continues to raise the bar as it toasts an illustrious milestone, and while its lineup is plenty eye-catching on its own, the inner specifications of a new Audemars Piguet watch consistently raise the bar, as is the case with its newest Royal Oak timepiece.

Audemars Piguet watches tend to set the pace in the luxury world, at least as far as an impressive blend of bold looks and precise craftsmanship is concerned (there’s a reason Jay-Z, among others, is a fan of the company’s wrist candy). The company notes that with its latest release, “simple is complicated,” and so while its textured dial and visually appealing case might strike the same chord as other Audemars Piguet watches, the end result offers more than meets the eye.

To be more specific: The new Jumbo Extra-Thin Selfwinding Tourbillon Chronograph RD #5 150th Anniversary does the nearly impossible by taking the Royal Oak silhouette and then retooling it with an inner movement that manages to blend both a flyback chronograph and flying tourbillon construction in an impossibly small package.

Accordingly, just 150 units worldwide are available when it comes to the suitably rare timepiece, which Audemars Piguet says “marks a new era of complications, offering a balance of lightness, durability, and brilliance.” The company notably toasted its 150th anniversary with a new green ceramic Royal Oak Offshore this spring, among a suite of other covetable and ultra-exclusive releases. Of this new edition, Bulk Metallic Glass makes up the caseback and bezel, while the sleek 39mm titanium case delivers imperceptible thinness and utterly chic style.

The trademark cushioned geometric AP Royal Oak case is offset by a striking blue “Petite Tapisserie” dial in equally recognizable Audemars Piguet fashion. Its hour markers and its 18-carat white gold luminescent bathtub hands also stand out in handsome and elegant fashion alongside a refined AP script logo. An integrated titanium bracelet finishes off the remarkably rare timepiece in streamlined style, and is another sort of Audemars Piguet signature.

That the watch manages to look and feel as thin on the wrist seems to be a testament to Audemars Piguet ingenuity, while its dual functionality is also exceptionally difficult to pull off at a such a small scale in terms of thickness (the dial is just 8.1mm thick). The all-new Calibre 1800 achieves a degree of precision that’s not to be overlooked.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Audemars Piguet (@audemarspiguet)

As the watchmaker says, the new Jumbo Extra-Thin Selfwinding Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 150th Anniversary succeeds at “combining technical sophistication, performance and iconic design with a new standard of ergonomic refinement.” As one might expect, pricing information is available upon request for the stunning new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak achievement.

When you have access to a slew of horological icons, it would seem a wise bet to update those legendary silhouettes when the occasion calls for it: 150 years of watchmaking excellence comes to a head with a new array of Audemars Piguet classics.

The Code 11.59 lineup and the legendary Royal Oak silhouette all get an array of timeless and engaging updates. Chief among them are a duo of Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar offerings in refined 38mm builds that dial things down from the normally (slightly) more beefy Royal Oak silhouette. “Elegance meets innovation” as the watchmaker says these timepieces, with their smaller dimensions, “blend ergonomic design with imaginative dials, pushing the boundaries of watchmaking to new heights.”

Earlier this year, the luxury Swiss watchmaker also updated the Royal Oak Offshore in a limited-edition build, while the famed Royal Oak was also the perfect canvas for contemporary artist KAWS to offer up his own take last fall. Now, the latest Royal Oak arrives in both a stainless steel build with a Grande Tapisserie dial in light blue, while an elegant beige Grande Tapisserie dial graces the 18-karat pink gold edition.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Audemars Piguet (@audemarspiguet)

The Perpetual Calendar functionality aims for approachability rather than an overly complicated approach, the watchmaker said, noting that “this new generation of intuitive, easy-to-adjust perpetual calendars opens fresh possibilities for traditional complications.”

Just as impressive and undoubtedly intricate is the Code 11.59 38mm Perpetual Calendar,. Eye-catching for any number of reasons, the watchmaker teamed with Yann von Kaenel on a refined soft green guilloché dial nicely complemented on its interior by a new Calibre 7138 movement. Equally intriguing is the use of one crown to adjust each of its many complications, including leap year and moonphase functionality.

Rounding out the intricate offering are a series of curious and lovely looking Code 11.59 Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon watches, with three watches featuring natural stone dials. Green machalite, red ruby root and blue sodalite adorn the impossibly precise trio, and each watch relies on the innovative Calibre 2968 movement for the utterly cool flying tourbillon performance (and visual effect). In fitting fashion as the company celebrates such an illustrious moment, pricing is available upon request and by appointment.

The global pre-owned luxury watch market has notched its best quarterly performance in three years as price declines for leading brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier, and Omega slowed to their lowest rate since early 2022. That stabilization could signal a turning point for a sector that has experienced 13 consecutive quarters of price corrections from its post-pandemic peak.

According to a recent report by Morgan Stanley and WatchCharts, average prices across the pre-owned market fell by a mere 0.3 percent from April to the end of June, a notable improvement compared to the 0.4 percent declines seen in the first quarter. This marks the slowest rate of decline in over three years, indicating a renewed willingness among buyers to invest in certain pre-owned models, particularly those from highly coveted luxury watch brands.

Cartier emerged as a standout performer during the second quarter of 2025, with prices appreciating by 6.14 percent, driven by strong demand for its Santos collection, especially vintage and steel models. Over a five-year period, Cartier has seen an impressive 39.06 percent appreciation, reflecting sustained market confidence and a growing collector focus on classic dress watches.

Patek Philippe also showed strength, with prices rising 1.1 percent during the period, fueled by a rebound in Nautilus model prices and continued robust performance of its Aquanaut timepieces. While Rolex prices declined by 0.3 percent and Audemars Piguet by 1.3 percent in the second quarter, both brands, along with Patek Philippe, were among the best performers in the first quarter of 2025.

The report also highlighted a normalization of supply levels for pre-owned Rolex watches and a recovery in absorption rates. Demand for mid-tier brands such as Omega and IWC has also seen considerable growth, nearing record highs in the second quarter. Omega, for instance, experienced only a 0.78 percent decrease in pre-owned prices in mid-2024, demonstrating relative stability, according to the study.

Despite the positive indicators, the broader pre-owned Swiss watch market still faces challenges, with 29 of the 35 tracked brands experiencing negative quarter-over-quarter performance, and 25 seeing an average price decline of at least 1 percent. Brands including Hublot and TAG Heuer saw more significant drops.

The pre-owned luxury watch market, estimated at $24.38 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $45.01 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2 percent from 2024 to 2030, according the the report. North America led the market in 2023 with a 34.2 percent share of total revenue, while Asia Pacific is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR of 10.9 percent during the forecast period. Automatic pre-owned luxury watches continue to dominate the market, holding a 66.2 percent revenue share in 2023.

Industry experts suggest that the slight market cooling observed in 2024, following the price surge of 2022-2023, presents a strategic entry point for investors. The long-term value of heritage luxury watch models, strong brand equity, and controlled supply are expected to ensure continued investment potential.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked in ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’

The deep, rich blue of the “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” shade as created by Audemars Piguet actually dates back to the early 1970s, but here, it gets a modern reworking surrounding an astoundingly cool open-worked movement and dial design. Its self-winding Calibre 3132 movement is about as intricate as it gets, with the price tag to match. $101,100

Rolex Land-Dweller

Rolex has been an industry benchmark rather than a challenger brand of sorts for years, so when the company decides to put its own spin on an elegant sport-meets-dress watch, the results are definitely eye-catching. The all-new Rolex Land-Dweller comes in crisp 40mm and 36mm editions, each featuring a retooled “Flat Jubilee” bracelet and tasteful design. From $13,900

Panerai Luminor Perpetual Calendar GMT Platinumtech

Panerai’s watches are trusted by the likes of the Italian Navy SEALs and global sailing outfits worldwide, so innovation in bold fashion is top of mind for the luxe horologist. Its latest ode to the timeless Luminor has a bit of everything going for it, from the use of a proprietary alloy in its design to its main highlight, a semi-skeletonized sapphire dial and a GMT movement thrown in the mix, for good measure. Bells and whistles aplenty make this watch truly special among a slew of Watches and Wonders releases. $67, 600

Bell & Ross BR-03 Black Ceramic Skeleton

Bell & Ross reinvents the tool watch again, lending a skeletonized design to its signature square case design. The lightweight ceramic timepiece was “heavily inspired by the technical purity and functionality of aviation,” as all Bell & Ross watches tend to be. For monochromatic style that’s anything but boring, trust Bell & Ross $6,700

Tudor Black Bay 58 Master Chronometer

Tudor watches don’t cut any corners: Its Black Bay has earned  “a reputation as an enthusiast’s favorite,” the company notes, and the watch industry at large seems to agree. But Tudor went to the workshop, so to speak, and tinkered with its inner make-up, retrofitting the Black Bay 58 with Master Chronometer certification to go along with its 39mm case size and a vivid burgundy bezel insert and dial. Don’t worry: Its 65-hour power reserve and manufacture Calibre MT5400-U movement still get the job done alongside a stylish new look. $4,600

Hublot Big Bang Unico in Water Blue Sapphire

Hublot shook up the watch world two decades ago with the debut of the Big Bang, an impressive feat in the world of luxury sport watches to this day. And then, about a decade ago, Hublot introduced colored sapphire fabrication to its most famous silhouette, resulting in 2025’s special-edition take on the Big Bang. It’s a toast to two decades of what the company calls “the first truly iconic watch of the 21st century.” $138,000

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL

IWC pilot’s watches are tailormade to take to the skies, but even that lofty mantle gets an impressive update with the latest edition of the Big Pilot’s Watch. Handsome and intimidating, proprietary SPRIN-g PROTECT technology defends its tourbillon construction against shocks, while its mechanics are visible through skeletonized plates, bridges and rotor.

A Ceratanium case and crown pair nicely with a black patterned rubber strap in ultra-sleek, bold fashion. And although the price is enough to make you look twice, it’s no typo: The latest from IWC should prove worth every penny. $185,000

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is prized and distinctive enough in its own right (witness the recent Royal Oak x KAWS timepiece, for instance), and the Royal Oak Offshore plays off that lineage while retaining a “beefier, heavier and bolder” look, watch experts note. Since its introduction in the 1990s, the watch experts at Bob’s Watches note that the Royal Oak Offshore has “successfully carved out its space in the luxury watch landscape,” making it a fitting choice for an anniversary-centric timepiece.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Audemars Piguet (@audemarspiguet)

To toast 150 years of Audemars Piguet, the Royal Oak Offshore gets a green ceramic update (above a black ceramic middle case) and a tri-tone design with eye-catching sub-dials. The dial itself (offset by 18-carat white gold hour-markers) boasts a dark green “Méga Tapisserie” finish, and the bezel, pushers and crown receive a shot of deep green.

Equally notable is the textured dark green leather strap, finished with contrast stitching (a black rubber strap is also offered, for those who prefer a more minimal touch). But what’s most notable about the latest AP watch (other than its eye-popping $58,400 price tag) is its bold case shape, 43mm case size and 40-jewel Calibre 4401 movement.

The self-winding movement features a power reserve of 70 hours, as Audemars Piguet notes this “sportive wristwatch presents a bold three-toned design combining black and green ceramic.” As to that distinctive combination, the watchmaker also notes that textured dial “strikingly echoes these hues for a robust yet harmonious design.” With a suitably elevated price tag to match, the latest Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore hints at even bigger things to come from the Swiss watchmaker as it nods to years of timekeeping excellence.

Already makers of one of the world’s most complicated watches, the haute horologist looked to its 222nd anniversary in 1977 to bring back a luxury sports timepiece classic. The crisply designed 37mm stainless steel homage holds true to form in a contemporary reissue, one priced at $32,000.

The watchmaker notes that the slim, sporty-yet-refined timepiece nods to “an historic 1970s model” and in fitting fashion, “remains true to the qualities that made the original an icon.” The tonneau-shaped case is accented by both a fluted bezel and integrated bracelet for a clean, sleek look, one that Vacheron Constantin calls “a robust, sporty, yet elegant aesthetic that transcends categories.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Vacheron Constantin (@vacheronconstantin)

A delicate Maltese cross at the 5-o’clock marker, placed on the exterior of the bezel rather than on the dial, nods to intricacy and heritage. Not to be overlooked, elegant, rather jaw-dropping 18-karat gold baton-type hour and minute hands give the watch some impossibly precise flair (perhaps bolstering the price tag in the process, no doubt).

It’s a step down in flash and flair from other Vacheron Constantin timepieces, like its Abbey Road-inspired watch that debuted a handful of years ago. Within however, the hardware is every bit as detailed, as the watchmaker’s own Calibre 2455/2 movement powers the timepiece with a 40-hour power reserve.

Measuring in at just 7.95mm in terms of total thickness, the watch is also a geometric wonder in terms of its hexagonal integrated bracelet links, a sleek touch that gives this slimmed-down watch some seriously dressy appeal. As Vacheron Constantin notes, “purity of line and slimness” are key attributes for this luxurious, subtly stylish timepiece, and another five decades (and beyond) of history assuredly awaits this tribute to a classic.

A near six percent overall price drop last year among those three flagship watchmakers speaks to a post-pandemic change of pace, Altieri says. “The recent dip in pre-owned Rolex and Patek Philippe prices is part of a natural market correction,” he told Maxim. “The pandemic years drove prices to unprecedented highs, and now we’re seeing things normalize as the market stabilizes.”

Pricing for both Patek and AP timepieces dipped by a combined 11.5 percent, according to the Subdial Watch Index report from Bloomberg. The dip in pricing also comes as Rolex models like the “Root Beer” and “Pepsi” editions surged in popularity in 2024, according to a recent report from Bob’s Watches. And as far as new timepieces are concerned, the fact that Rolex is raising watch prices in 2025 might mean it makes more sense to buy a pre-owned luxury watch now.

The pricing dip harkens back about three years, following the pandemic boom among watch collectors. And in 2025, highly agreeable prices for iconic models present a prime opportunity for buyers and enthusiasts to bolster their watch collection, Altieri said.

“For collectors and buyers, this is a great moment to find value in iconic models like the [Rolex] Submariner or Patek Nautilus,” he noted, adding that “prices may have softened, but the long-term appeal and value of these brands remain as strong as ever.”

Even previously unattainable models like the AP Royal Oak might prove accessible, thanks to that 7.5 percent dip in pricing among pre-owned Audemars Piguet timepieces. It certainly doesn’t hurt that a watch from a company like Rolex or Patek Philippe carries with it plenty of history, style and precision, Altieri notes.

“At the end of the day, luxury watches are more than investments — they’re timeless pieces of craftsmanship and history,” the watch expert said. Striking while the iron is hot, particularly if you want a grail-worthy watch, certainly takes on a whole new meaning as 2025 rolls on in earnest.

Like their seven-time Super Bowl-winning owner, Tom Brady’s luxe timepieces and game-worn memorabilia exceeded expectations at the Sotheby’s “The GOAT Collection” auction. All 41 lots sold for a collective $9 million against an estimate of $5.2-$8.9 million.

The apex offering in the collection was Brady’s Rolex Daytona Paul Newman “John Player Special.” Perhaps the most covetable of the highly collectible late-60s Rolex Daytonas, this ultra-rare gold and black Rollie gets its nickname due to the similarity in color scheme to the 1978 Formula One-winning Lotus 78 race car, which was prominently sponsored by John Player Special cigarettes. In 2020, a bidding war jacked the price of a Daytona JPS to $1.5 million, nearly doubling the $800,000 estimate and setting a record for the model. By comparison, the $1.1 million someone paid against a $600,000-$900,000 estimate for a Daytona JPS Daytona owned by a living NFL legend could be considered a deal, of sorts.

There were several other overachievers in the collection. An IWC Pilot’s Watch Top Gun Edition SFTI blasted past the $10,000 top-end of its valuation to sell for $42,000, while a pink gold IWC Portugieser sold for $45,6000 against the same valuation. A pink gold Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore chronograph unexpectedly cracked six figures to achieve a $102,000 bid against $60,000, while a yellow gold Patek Philippe perpetual calendar chronograph beat its $300,000 max estimate with a $312,000 sale. A one-of-one gold Royal Oak—featuring “TOM BRADY” indices set with diamonds and worn by the man himself at Netflix’s The Roast of Tom Brady—sold for $720,000 against a $400,000-$800,000 valuation, making it the second most valuable lot of the night next to the Daytona JPS.

As for Touchdown Tom’s game-worn gear, the hot-ticket item proved to be the jersey he wore during his final game as a Michigan Wolverine at the 2000 Orange Bowl, which concluded with a win over the Alabama Crimson Tide. According to Sotheby’s, a quartet of collectors battled for it, with the final bid coming in at $792,000 against a $300,000-$500,000 valuation. Meanwhile, Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers Game Worn Jersey, in which he broke the NFL record for all-time career passing yards, sold for $504,000 to an online bidder against a $400,000-$600,000 valuation.

In a statement to Sotheby’s before the sale, Brady said, “Over the years, I’ve figured out what my style really is, and it doesn’t have to be what everyone else wears.” Well, at least a few people can now wear exactly what Brady wore.

In a chase for the latest and greatest, art collectors and watch enthusiasts very well might have something in common: A relentless pursuit for rarity. Eye-catching timepieces like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak are even art unto themselves, best exemplified by the new AP x KAWS Royal Oak Concept ‘Companion’ Watch.

Artist Brian Donnelly, better known for decades as KAWS and just as well-known for his Companion character (a sort of spin on a certain cartoon mouse) brings the motif to a limited-edition 43mm version of the Royal Oak. It blends the trappings of the iconic watch silhouette with the world of high art.

KAWS is no stranger to genre-blurring collaboration, working with brands up and down the scale from Uniqlo to The North Face to BAPE and Dior while exhibiting his sculptures alongside pop art from the likes of Andy Warhol in recent years. The partnership isn’t without buzz: GQ called it the “hypiest watch of the year,” with a $226,000 price tag to match.

A 3D edition of KAWS’ somewhat menacing Companion figure adorns the dial within the sandblasted titanium case, pressing on the dial itself, while the timekeeping mechanism now rests on the edge of the dial. The change in structure of the timekeeping display offers an “unobstructed view of this cartoon-like character in shades of grey,” Audemars Piguet said.

To be more specific, the timepiece is powered by hour and minute hands that rotate around the periphery of the movement and dial via the new hand-wound Calibre 2979.

The haute horologist further noted that the timepiece “explores new creative territories,” and that sentiment surely seems accurate. The bold watch rests on a light grey textured calfskin strap and comes with an additional dark grey calfskin strap. Of the full titanium watch and its distinctive look, Audemars Piguet says the watch “is imbued with the aesthetic DNA of the New York-based artist.”

Audemars Piguet added that the watch reflects Donnelly’s efforts to experiment with material, shape and size in his own artwork, quite literally dialed down into a precise and much buzzed-about timepiece. It likely won’t stick around for long, at least if watch collectors and art obsessives have their way: Just 250 editions of the new AP x KAWS Royal Oak Concept Companion Tourbillon are available via price upon request.

The luxury Swiss watchmaker, the preferred timepiece of the likes of John Mayer and Travis Scott (to name but a few), just launched an impressive set of updates to the Royal Oak Offshore line, available in both 37mm and 43mm designs. The watchmaker said the launch presents “a diversity of materials” that are designed to “complement thrilling summer adventures,” with a variety of ceramic case details and rubber strap options available.

The offering includes the stainless steel 43mm Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph, complete with a handsome smokey bronze dial and black accents throughout. A more simple, 43mm time and date model of the Royal Oak Offshore boasts a blue rubber-coated bezel and blue rubber strap that nicely complements the iconic Offshore cushion case shape.

Perhaps the most visually appealing new option is an Offshore edition featuring an 18-carat pink gold case. The more classic Royal Oak Offshore entry in the trio is the aforementioned textured brown leather strap offering, but each model (particularly the pink gold case offering) boasts distinctive looks and luxurious finishes.

Precise movements guide each watch, with self-winding technology and power reserves ranging from 60 hours to 70 hours for intricate timekeeping. As the watchmaker says, “these bold and powerful iterations introduce new tones of bronze, ivory and blue to the collection,” all the while ranging in price from $27,400 to $47,200. The trio reveals “very different aesthetics,” Audemars Piguet notes, with each ultra-high-end new watch boasting a “cutting-edge self-winding movement.” The bar has been raised once again by Audemars Piguet, it would seem: Keep an eye on the wrists of its many famous fans for a glimpse of these in the wild.