Released in 1972 and designed by Gerald Genta, watchmaking's most famous designer, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was the first stainless steel luxury sports watch ever to exist. Released as a tactic to survive the quartz crisis, the Royal Oak can single-handedly be thanked for AP's existence today due to its astounding success, albeit it wasn't an overnight hit. Its sizeable tonneau-shaped case, signature integrated bracelet, octagonal bezel, exposed screws, and steel construction failed to win over collectors until a few years later. Today, the Royal Oak is one of the most highly-coveted timepieces in all horology as its previously dismissed design details have permeated across the industry and into watches like the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Vacheron Constantin Overseas, Rolex Oysterquartz, amongst many other legendary timepieces.

Launched in 2022 as part of the Royal Oak’s 50th anniversary releases, the new Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26240ST is a subtly improved version of the Royal Oak Chrono that proves watchmakers don’t need to make sweeping changes to improve their watches. Indeed, this new stainless steel reference, the ref. 26715ST, features a new dial design with new hour markers to give uniformity to the collection. However, some small changes have also been made that differentiate its design from the original, like the removal of AP’s “AP” logo at 12 o’clock which gives the dial more space to breathe resulting in a less cluttered look. Measuring 41mm in diameter, the ref. 26240ST introduces a new case size to the Royal Oak Chronograph family that collectors are sure to love given its universal wearability and similarity to the original 39mm Royal Oak “Jumbo” from 1972. Offered with a beautiful silver dial, this example is a fully monochromatic beauty that will easily settle into any collection, complete with commemorative 50th anniversary winding rotor to truly set it apart as a special watch.