Simone Biles Sparks Watch Envy: Inside Her $50K Audemars Piguet Diamond Stunner and Growing Collection of Luxe Timepieces
In the glittering world of elite athletics, where split-second precision defines careers, Simone Biles has long mastered the art of timing. The 28-year-old gymnastics icon, fresh off her record-shattering performances at the 2024 Paris Olympics, continues to captivate beyond the mat. Her latest flex? A dazzling Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore timepiece, retailing at a cool $50,000, that she’s proudly parading on social media. But what makes this watch more than just another celebrity splurge—could it hint at the subtle ways champions like Biles blend discipline with indulgence in their off-duty lives?
Biles, often hailed as the greatest of all time in gymnastics, first caught eyes with this stainless steel beauty during a recent jaunt to New York City alongside her husband, Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens. The couple, who tied the knot in a lavish April 2023 ceremony after a Valentine’s Day 2022 engagement, divides their time between Houston and Chicago. Amid the city’s relentless buzz, Biles slipped into a high-end jeweler to try on the Royal Oak Offshore, a model renowned for its bold fusion of rugged utility and opulent finesse. The watch’s ceramic bezel gleams with meticulously set round-cut diamonds, framing a salmon-hued dial etched in the brand’s iconic “Lady Tapisserie” pattern. Salmon-colored counters pop against white gold numerals, while the signature Royal Oak hands, tipped with luminescent coating, promise readability in any light—perfect for a woman whose days blur between training sessions and red-carpet spotlights.
What elevates this acquisition from mere luxury to a statement of personal evolution? For Biles, it’s the second chapter in her Audemars Piguet saga. Her inaugural piece arrived in 2024: a white-gold Royal Oak Mini, a tender gift from Owens that she debuted with unfiltered joy. Fast-forward to now, and she’s stacking her collection like cherished medals. In an Instagram Story snapshot that has fashion insiders buzzing, Biles posed her two watches side by side, wrist elegantly extended, and captioned the moment with endearing simplicity: “my 2 babies.” The phrase lands like a mic drop, humanizing a superstar whose net worth, bolstered by endorsements from brands like Athleta and Uber Eats, hovers around $20 million. Yet, in calling these timepieces her “babies,” Biles reveals a softer side—one that treasures heirlooms as extensions of her journey from foster care survivor to Olympic legend.
Audemars Piguet, the Swiss horology powerhouse founded in 1875, has long whispered to those who demand excellence without compromise. The Royal Oak line, launched in 1972 as the world’s first luxury steel sports watch, revolutionized the industry with its octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet, designed by the legendary Gérald Genta. Today, diamond-encrusted variants like Biles’ Offshore model command attention from collectors worldwide, blending motorsport-inspired toughness with high jewelry allure. At $50,000, it’s an investment piece that holds value better than most stocks—resale markets often see these retain 80% of their price, a nod to AP’s unwavering craftsmanship. But Biles’ choice sparks intrigue: In a post-pandemic era where athletes are redefining success, does adorning herself with such precision-engineered gems signal a deeper embrace of self-worth after years of intense scrutiny?
Her marriage to Owens adds another layer of fascination to this narrative. The couple’s love story, from viral workout dates to shared adventures, has endeared them to fans who see in Biles not just a GOAT, but a grounded partner navigating fame’s pressures. Owens, whose NFL contract with the Bears nets him over $7 million annually, has been vocal about supporting Biles’ ventures beyond sports. Their New York trip, where the watch try-on unfolded, doubled as a romantic escape—perhaps a subtle celebration of resilience amid Biles’ recent personal milestones. Speaking of which, the gymnast has been refreshingly candid about her body, sharing on TikTok a series of “fun facts” that peel back the curtain on her enhancements. “I’ve had three plastic surgeries, and two of them you would never be able to tell,” she revealed in a video that racked up millions of views, challenging followers to guess her secrets. Later, she spilled the details: “🍒, lower bleph because I had THE WORST eye bags & ear lobe — my earring got ripped out when I was younger.” These confessions, delivered with Biles’ trademark wit, underscore a theme of empowerment—much like slipping on a $50K watch that says, “I’ve earned this glow-up.”
Beyond the bling, Biles’ affinity for fine watches mirrors a broader trend among female athletes turning to horology as a form of quiet rebellion. Think Serena Williams with her Patek Philippe complications or Naomi Osaka’s understated Rolex divers—timeless pieces that outlast fleeting endorsements. For Biles, the Audemars Piguet duo complements her existing jewelry arsenal: a stunning 3-carat oval-cut diamond engagement ring from designer Zo Frost, paired with an eternity band of oval-cut diamonds that catches light like a vault routine. These aren’t just accessories; they’re talismans of triumph, acquired after conquering mental health battles and podium dominance. As she posted the watch photo, one couldn’t help but wonder if this collection foreshadows more—perhaps a bespoke AP collaboration down the line, etching her legacy into steel and sapphire.
The ripple effect of Biles’ showcase extends to the luxury market, where celebrity sightings drive demand. Audemars Piguet reported a 12% uptick in Royal Oak sales last quarter, partly fueled by Gen-Z influencers and athletes like Biles who humanize high-end buys. Searches for “Simone Biles watch collection” have surged 150% in the past week, per Google Trends, blending her inspirational aura with aspirational style. Yet, what truly convinces is Biles’ authenticity—no sponsored haze, just raw delight in “her 2 babies.” In an industry often criticized for excess, her approach feels earned, a reminder that true icons time their indulgences as masterfully as their flips.
As Biles eyes future competitions—rumors swirl of a 2028 Olympics return—her wrist game offers a glimpse into the woman behind the medals. Will this $50K diamond dynamo become her lucky charm, or just the latest in a lineup destined for the vault? One scroll through her feed suggests the latter, but with Biles, every tick of the second hand promises surprise. For now, it’s a sparkling testament to a life rebuilt, one precise gem at a time—proving that even GOATs need a little bling to keep the world spinning.
