Hip-hop mogul Rick Ross has become known for his extravagant lifestyle as much as for his rhymes. But recently the self-proclaimed “Boss” has found himself entangled in a heated debate over the authenticity of his $3 million Audemars Piguet watch.
The controversy erupted when watch expert Nico Leonard van der Horst, a Belgrade-based Dutch watch dealer and YouTuber with nearly 1.7 million subscribers, raised doubts about the legitimacy of Ross’s prized timepiece, claiming it to be nothing more than a counterfeit.
Did Ross Know the Time about his Watch?
The dispute began when van der Horst, who says he is a horology pro, publicly challenged the authenticity of Ross’s Audemars Piguet watch. In an Instagram post directed at the rapper, van der Horst asserted that Ross’s green Audemars Piguet adorned with 816 baguette-cut emeralds was a fake. He questioned the legitimacy of the watch’s exorbitant price tag and demanded an explanation from the rap mogul.
During a recent Robb Report video highlighting his timepiece collection, Ross claimed the watch was a “Audemars Piguet Royal Oak awash with 816 baguette-cut emeralds” that he said cost him just over $3 million.
In response, van der Horst posted his own video on Instagram.
“Rick Ross, bro, I just made a video about your insane green AP. Unfortunately, it’s fake. Why are you flaunting fake watches? There’s only one of these watches in the world at 41 mil and there’s another one at 37. There’s more coming in the future but because of the complexity and the difficulty to find these stones, there’s currently only one in the world. Can you explain me this, Rick Ross?”
He then shared a photo of one of the two only “legit” Audemars Piguet special watches.
“Why is there a photo here with my name, Nico Leonard, and the photo of that exact watch? That’s the real deal and you have a fake. The real owner sent me this photo and you have a fake watch,” the watch influencer said. “Why are you flaunting a fake watch and saying that watch is worth $3.25 million, man? I thought you had to be an example for the youth etc. Mate, load of balls, get your act together. This is pathetic.”
Ross did not take kindly to van der Horst’s accusations. In a retaliatory response, Ross lashed out at the watch expert, deriding him as a “little fat guy in the one-cubicle office.” Ross ridiculed van der Horst’s assertions, sarcastically remarking on the rarity of the emeralds adorning his timepiece and insinuating that obtaining such a luxurious timepiece was a trivial task for someone of his stature.
As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen whether Ross will pull out receipts to prove the watch’s authenticity.
