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Watch Drop

Introducing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 50th Anniversary Chronograph in 41mm

By Wristcheck
26 Jan 2022
9 min read

As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, Audemars Piguet has unveiled 12 new selfwinding chronographs in 41mm. Here is a look at our four favourite pieces

 

Genius minds bring brilliance to the table, and something similar happened in 1970 when legendary watch designer Gérald Genta presented his design for the Royal Oak to Audemars Piguet. The legend has it that his design drew inspiration from a childhood memory of an antiquated diving helmet attached to a diving suit by eight screws. An ingenious Genta translated this into the octagonal shape of the bezel and the eight screws that secure it to the watch. Two years later, the Royal Oak was born, becoming a modern icon, ushering in a new era of high-end luxury watchmaking.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Royal Oak, the Swiss haute horlogerie manufacture has unveiled a panoply of new selfwinding chronographs in 41mm. The new references have evolved a bit in terms of the case, bracelet, and dial design, augmenting the contemporary charisma of the collection. The timepieces with an attenuated design appeal now sit more comfortably on the wrist and render alluring reflections from their satin-finished and polished surfaces. We take a look at the new 41mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph pieces powered by the Calibre 4401, which was first introduced on gold Royal Oak models in 2021. 

 

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The 41 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph with a khaki green dial, 18k pink gold hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating

 

The New Movement: Calibre 4401

Beating inside the 41mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph pieces in stainless steel and pink gold, the movement showcases the chronometry expertise of the artisans at Audemars Piguet. Delivering an impressive power reserve of around 70 hours, this in-house integrated chronograph is equipped with a flyback function and comprises an instantaneous date-change mechanism in addition to a column wheel and a vertical clutch system. The selfwinding movement has a diameter of 32mm, a thickness of 6.8mm, and comes fitted with the dedicated '50-years' anniversary oscillating weight.

Apart from its robust performance, the engine features refined finishing, including Côtes de Genève, satin brushing, circular graining, circular satin and polished chamfers, all visible through the sapphire caseback.

 

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The selfwinding Cal. 4401 is 6.8 mm thick and is adorned with the special '50-years' anniversary oscillating weight

 

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The in-house integrated chronograph is equipped with a flyback function and offers an instantaneous date-change mechanism in addition to a column wheel and a vertical clutch system

 

Steel Deal

The original 39mm Royal Oak Ref. 5402 was a groundbreaking timepiece that became the world's first luxury sports watch in steel. Following in the footsteps of the original are four Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph timepieces in steel. The Ref. 26240ST.OO.1320ST.01 features a 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' ('Night Blue, Cloud 50') dial with a 'Grande Tapisserie' pattern, and the counters too get the 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' treatment. The watch face has been adorned with white gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. This variation pays homage to the original, displaying its iconic blue, named 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50'.

The 41mm steel case of the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph Ref. 26240ST.OO.1320ST.01 offers a water resistance of around 50 metres and has been paired with a stainless steel bracelet and AP folding clasp.

 

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The Ref. 26240ST.OO.1320ST.01 features a 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' ('Night Blue, Cloud 50') dial with a 'Grande Tapisserie' pattern

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Another impressive dial implementation is offered on the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph Ref. 26240ST.OO.1320ST.02. Its black dial with a 'Grande Tapisserie' pattern presents counters in black, white gold applied hour-markers, and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. The steel watch is water resistant up to 50 metres and has been offered on a stainless steel bracelet and AP folding clasp.

 

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The 41 mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph with a black "Grande Tapisserie" pattern, black counters and white gold applied hour-markers

 

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The Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph Ref. 26240ST.OO.1320ST.03 houses a silver-toned dial with a 'Grande Tapisserie' pattern that becomes one with the silver-toned counters. And if you haven't guessed the dial variation of the fourth steel model yet, then here you go - a khaki green dial with a 'Grande Tapisserie' pattern and khaki green counters. This variation has been offered on a stainless steel bracelet. The four steel Royal Oaks come with a ‘50-years’ oscillating weight in rhodium-toned 22k pink gold.

 

Pink Gold: Elegant and Bold

Audemars Piguet's craftsmanship has been a testament to the manufacture's ancestral savoir-faire. Suave and bold, the pink gold Royal Oaks have always been elegant, yet edgy. The watchmaker has added eight new 41mm pink gold pieces to the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph lineup. The Ref. 26240OR.OO.1320OR.01 is a playful design that beautifully combines the gold and blue tones of the watch. Housed in an 18k pink gold case, this reference features a 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' dial with a 'Grande Tapisserie' pattern, 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' counters, pink gold hour-markers, and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. This charming and urbane model is water resistant up to 50 metres and comes paired with an 18k pink gold bracelet and AP folding clasp.

 

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Housed in an 18k pink gold case, the Ref. 26240OR.OO.1320OR.01 features a 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' dial with a 'Grande Tapisserie' pattern, 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' counters, pink gold hour-markers

 

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Another enticing model in pink gold is the Ref. 26240OR.OO.D404CR.01 which offers an impressive contrast, courtesy its khaki green dial with a 'Grande Tapisserie' pattern. The watch face shows the counters in khaki green along with 18k pink gold applied hour-markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating. Its vibrant, luxurious appeal has been completed with a khaki green alligator strap with 18k pink gold AP triple-blade folding clasp.

 

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The Ref. 26240OR.OO.D404CR.01 offers an impressive contrast, thanks to the gorgeous pink gold case and the khaki green dial with a 'Grande Tapisserie' pattern

 

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Featuring a black dial are Ref. 26240OR.OO.1320OR.02 paired with an 18k pink gold bracelet and Ref. 26240OR.OO.D002CR.01, which Audemars Piguet is offering on a black alligator strap with 18k pink gold AP triple-blade folding clasp. The combination of gold and silver tones has been magnified by the Ref. 26240OR.OO.1320OR.03 which has received a silver-toned dial that looks striking with the 18k pink gold pink gold case and bracelet.

 

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The Royal Oak Selfwinding Chrono Ref. 26240OR.OO.D002CR.01 comes with a black dial with "Grande Tapisserie", black counters and pink gold applied hour-markers

 

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The Ref. 26242OR.ZZ.1322OR.01 is adorned with 234 brilliant-cut diamonds on the dial and 736 diamonds on the case and bracelet

 

The Ref. 26240OR.OO.D315CR.01 is another timepiece in the lineup that wears a pink gold case and presents a 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' dial that has been completed with a blue alligator strap.The 41mm Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph collection has been closed with a dazzling timepiece that brings together haute horlogerie and haute joaillerie techniques - the Ref. 26242OR.ZZ.1322OR.01. This gleaming beauty’s 18k pink gold case, dial, and bracelet have been set with brilliant-cut diamonds, with 736 brilliant-cut diamonds for case and bracelet and 234 brilliant-cut diamonds for the dial.

The eight pink gold Royal Oaks come with a ‘50-years’ oscillating weight in 22k pink gold.

 

Specifications:

Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41 mm

Reference: 26240ST.OO.1320ST.01
Diameter: 41mm
Dial: 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' dial with "Grande Tapisserie" pattern, 'Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50' counters, white gold applied hour-markers, and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating
Case: Stainless steel case, glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, screw-locked crown
Water Resistance: Up to 50 metres

Movement: Selfwinding Calibre 4401
Functions: Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds, and date
Power Reserve: 70 hours (approx.)
Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet and AP folding clasp
Price: HK$ 263,000

 

Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41 mm

Reference: 26240ST.OO.1320ST.02
Diameter: 41mm
Dial: Black dial with ‘Grande Tapisserie’ pattern, black counters, white gold applied hour-markers, and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating
Case: Stainless steel case, glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback, screw-locked crown
Water Resistance: Up to 50 metres

Movement: Selfwinding Calibre 4401
Frequency: 4Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
Functions: Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds, and date
Power Reserve: 70 hours (approx.)
Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet and AP folding clasp
Price: HK$ 263,000
 

Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41 mm

Reference: 26240OR.OO.1320OR.01
Diameter: 41mm
Dial: ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ dial with ‘Grande Tapisserie’ pattern, ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ counters, pink gold hour-markers, and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating
Case: 18k pink gold case, glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback, screw-locked crown
Water Resistance: Up to 50 metres

Movement: Selfwinding Calibre 4401
Frequency: 4Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
Functions: Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds, and date
Power Reserve: 70 hours (approx.)
Bracelet: 18k pink gold bracelet and AP folding clasp
Price: HK$ 561,000

 

Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41 mm

Reference: 26240OR.OO.D404CR.01
Diameter: 41mm
Dial: Khaki green dial with ‘Grande Tapisserie’ pattern, khaki green counters, 18k pink gold applied hour-markers, and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating
Case: 18k pink gold case, glare-proofed sapphire crystal and caseback, screw-locked crown
Water Resistance: Up to 50 metres

Movement: Selfwinding Calibre 4401
Frequency: 4Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
Functions: Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds, and date
Power Reserve: 70 hours (approx.)
Bracelet: Khaki green alligator strap with 18k pink gold AP triple-blade folding clasp
Price: HK$ 389,000
 

For more information on these watches, visit Audemars Piguet Online.