Jay-Z, AP and a very special platinum Royal Oak Offshore
A watch cool enough for Hova
Rewind, if you can, back to 2005. George W. Bush has just started his second term as President of the United States of America. Blackberry was still king of the communications world, and Harry Potter and Darth Vader dominated the box office. In the music business, another figure loomed large. But not for the reasons that you might think. Jay-Z had nominally 'retired' from making music and instead focused on a different kind of business, selling his stake in Roc-A-Fella Records, a decade after its founding in 1995.
The Roc-A-Fella label had an immense impact on not just the world of rap but the music industry more broadly, thanks to Jay-Z's insouciant swagger, on-point rhymes, and effortless flow. And, Hova being Hova, you can be sure he sent off the game-changing label in style, which is where Audemars Piguet comes in.
Ball so hard
Name-checking luxury brands in tracks isn't a new thing — and from Jay-Z's lyrics, it's clear that he (like the rest of the world) is a fan of Audemars Piguet. By the early 2000s, Jay-Z (real name Shawn Carter) was already something of a watch collector. At this point, he met the American Managing Director of Audemars Piguet, a former professional golfer by the name of Francois-Henry Bennahmias. For rising star Bennahmias, he was in precisely the right place at precisely the right time.
The early 2000s was the era of the Offshore, with the 'End of Days' reference 25770 made to celebrate the 1999 film of the same name, heralding in a new age of watch cool
Aggressively styled luxury divers were on top, and it was the birth of the high-profile watch collab, a strategy that would help propel AP to billion-dollar status. And thus, Jay-Z and AP stepped onto the stage together to announce the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Jay-Z 10th Anniversary limited edition. The launch party was — as you might expect — star-studded, with Kanye West, Naomi Campbell and Sean Combs (‘Diddy’) in attendance.
This watch itself holds its own. Audemars Piguet released 50 in steel, 30 in rose gold and 20 in platinum. The version we're specifically looking at here is the rarest (and heaviest) of the bunch — platinum. And while the customisation on this piece wasn't too wild, there are a few unique touches that make it stand out.
The fact that this 42mm watch comes on an alligator strap and has a stunning rich blue sunburst dial ensures that this watch is about as dressy as a Royal Oak Offshore can get. The caseback bears Jay-Z's signature, which is a great touch.
The real celebration to Roc-A-Fella and Jay's triumphant 10 years in the music business is on the dial, a remarkably subtle iced inclusion. The Arabic numeral 10 is set with brilliant-cut diamonds to mark the decade in style.
The original box for this watch included one last easter egg. A fourth-generation iPod, colour matched with the watch that also bore Jay-Z's signature — in 2005, it didn't get much cooler than that. Hopefully, the iPod came loaded with Roc-A-Fella's back catalogue.
This limited edition platinum Offshore may lack the apparent tells of other collaboration pieces, but honestly, an evolved, sophisticated take on the then 12-year-old icon has ensured that it remains a classic to this day, and undoubtedly for years to come.
Quick Take
The Audemars Piguet ref. 26055PT "Jay-Z" celebrates the hip-hop icon's 10th anniversary as a recording artist. Released in 2005 as a limited edition, this rare platinum version stands as 1 of just 20 examples that exist. Fitted with a diamond-set "10" Arabic numeral and stunning sunburst blue dial, the Offshore "Jay-Z" is a fitting tribute to the artist and his illustrious career. Measuring in at 42mm and fitted on a blue leather strap, this wonderfully wearable platinum timepiece packs a punch as an incredibly exclusive yet somewhat subtle heavy-hitter.
Specifications
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Jay-Z 10th Anniversary limited edition in platinum
Reference number: 26055PT
Case size: 44 mm
Material: Platinum
Crystal: Sapphire
Water-resistance: 100 m
Movement:
Cal. 2326 / 2840
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date, Chronograph
Winding:
Self-winding
Power reserve: 40 h
Strap: Blue alligator + black rubber
Availability: Limited edition of 20
