Manufacturer: Audemars Piguet Year: Circa 2017 Reference No: 26331ST.00.1220ST.01 Case No: KR7594M Model Name: Royal Oak Chronograph Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2385, 37 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet bracelet, max overall length 200mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Audemars Piguet double deployant clasp Dimensions: 41mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Audemars Piguet International Warranty Card, wooden presentation box, hang tag, product literature and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Audemars Piguet released the Royal Oak wristwatch in 1972 as the world’s first stainless steel luxury sports watch with fully integrated bracelet. Designed by famed horologer Gerald Genta, it was a model that revolutionized luxury watches with a monobloc case featuring an octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal white gold screws. The model evolved over time with the introduction of complicated variants including the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, followed later by the first Royal Oak Chronograph introduced in 1997. The reference 25860 housed the caliber 2385 based on the ultra-slim, Frederic Piguet caliber 1185, with the new movement being the thinnest self-winding chronograph movement made at the time, permitting the classic thin profile of the original Royal Oak to be maintained.
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph was a commercial success, and to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the model, the firm released the successor reference 26331. Introduced at SIHH 2017, the 01 variant of the model features a wonderful blue tapisserie dial, while retaining all the hallmarks of the original Royal Oak with the hexagonal bezel secured by eight screws.
The present example is preserved in brand new condition with its original factory stickers still present. Consigned by the original owner, the chronograph is accompanied by its International Warranty Card, and presentation box.
A specialist in the manufacture of complications since it was established in 1881, Audemars Piguet never ceases to impress with a rich history of creating bold, even audacious, timepieces underpinned by traditional watchmaking at its finest. This Le Brassus-based Swiss manufacturer is one of only two major manufacturers still owned by the founding family. Since its earliest days, AP is considered a leader in the field of minute repeaters and grande complication pocket and wristwatches. The brand is devoted to preserving the history of watchmaking in the Vallée de Joux, showcased at their superb museum in Le Brassus.
Today, the brand is best known for its Royal Oak models, a revolutionary luxury sports watch launched in 1972. Other key models include early minute repeating wristwatches, vintage chronograph wristwatches, such as the oversized reference 5020, perpetual calendar watches and the Royal Oak Offshore, first introduced in 1993.
