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.