Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph is one of the most recognisable luxury sports chronographs on the market. Time 4 Diamonds holds a rotating selection of pre-owned references and builds bespoke diamond-set Royal Oak Chronographs to order from our London base. Every piece above is authenticated, serviced where required and sold with a 12 month warranty.
What is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph?
The Royal Oak Chronograph is the stopwatch version of Audemars Piguet's 1972 Royal Oak, designed by Gérald Genta. Audemars Piguet added the chronograph complication in 1997, launching the line to mark the Royal Oak's 25th anniversary.
It retains the signatures that made the original Royal Oak famous: an octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws, an integrated bracelet and a guilloché "Grande Tapisserie" dial. The 41mm case on modern references sits at roughly 11mm thick, which remains thin for a self-winding chronograph on a bracelet. Case sizes across the catalogue have included 39mm, 41mm and a smaller 38mm variant on selected references. Standard functions are hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph and date.
Royal Oak Chronograph versus Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph
These are two separate product lines that are routinely confused. Buyers should understand the split before committing.
The Royal Oak Chronograph is the classic line, descended directly from the 1972 Genta design. Modern references sit in the 26300, 26320, 26331 and 26240 families, in 39mm or 41mm cases, with a focus on dress-forward sports wear.
The Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph is the larger, more aggressive derivative launched in 1993. It runs to 42mm, 43mm or 44mm, with a pronounced rubber gasket around the bezel and heavier case architecture. References include 26170, 26400, 26420 and 26480. It reads more as a tool watch than its Royal Oak sibling. We cover the distinction in full detail in our Royal Oak vs Royal Oak Offshore guide.
Royal Oak Chronograph reference guide
The references below cover the bulk of the modern secondary market. We weight stock towards 41mm steel and rose gold pieces, which see the most consistent UK buyer demand.
| Reference | Case size | Material | Calibre | Production |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25860 | 39mm | Steel, gold | 2385 | 1997 to 2005 |
| 26300 | 39mm | Steel, gold | 2385 | 2005 to 2012 |
| 26320ST / 26320OR | 41mm | Steel, rose gold | 2385 | 2012 to 2017 |
| 26331ST / 26331OR / 26331IP | 41mm | Steel, rose gold, titanium/platinum | 2385 | 2017 to 2021 |
| 26240 family | 41mm | Steel, ceramic, rose gold, white gold, yellow gold | 4401 | 2021 to current |
| 26239 family | 41mm | Rose gold, white gold (including frosted) | 4401 | 2021 to current |
Calibres 2385 and 4401 explained
Every Royal Oak Chronograph from 1997 to 2021 was powered by Calibre 2385, a self-winding chronograph movement based on the Frédéric Piguet 1185. It ran at 21,600 vph and offered a 40 hour power reserve, with a traditional lateral clutch and cam-switching. It is a reliable, well-understood movement with a healthy independent service network.
In 2021, Audemars Piguet moved the chronograph onto its in-house Calibre 4401. The move brought three functional upgrades: a flyback chronograph, a column wheel with vertical coupling for smoother chronograph actuation and a 70 hour power reserve. It also repositioned the subdials to a symmetrical 3 and 9 layout with a small seconds at 6. The 4401 is the movement inside the current 26240 and 26239 families, and it is currently the only chronograph movement Audemars Piguet fits to new Royal Oak Chronographs.
Pre-owned Royal Oak Chronograph at Time 4 Diamonds
Our pre-owned stock covers the main 41mm pillars of the modern catalogue. Current and recent inventory includes the 41mm Steel Blue Dial 26331ST.OO.1220ST.01, the black-dial and white-dial siblings in the same 26331 family, the rose gold 41mm Rose Gold with White Dial, the 20th anniversary Titanium and Platinum 26331IP.OO.1220IP.01 and the current-generation Black Ceramic 26240CE.OO.1225CE.02 powered by the new Calibre 4401.
For collectors hunting something rarer, we currently hold the Dubail Limited Edition 26103SP.OO.D002CA.01, one of only 50 pieces made for the Dubail boutique in Paris, with a platinum bezel, grey Mega Tapisserie dial and red chronograph hands.
If the specific reference, dial colour or year you want is not in the grid above, our watch sourcing service handles exactly these requests through our trade network. Allocation waits at Audemars Piguet boutiques on popular references routinely run multiple years, and sourcing through a specialist shortens that significantly.
Bespoke diamond-set Royal Oak Chronographs
Diamond-set Royal Oaks from Audemars Piguet are produced in tightly restricted numbers and command a substantial factory premium over the base reference. A bespoke route through our London workshop builds diamond-set Royal Oak Chronographs to specification, setting VS1 round brilliants on the case, bezel, bracelet, dial or a combination, depending on brief.
Current examples in our bespoke watches collection include a 41mm stainless steel custom diamond-set Royal Oak Chronograph on a white Grande Tapisserie dial and a 41mm rose gold custom diamond-set Royal Oak Chronograph with a pavé dial. Custom dials in factory Audemars Piguet finishes, including Arabic numerals, can be built to order through our Audemars Piguet dials catalogue.
What to check before buying a pre-owned Royal Oak Chronograph
The pre-owned Royal Oak Chronograph market rewards careful inspection. Four areas move value more than any others.
Case condition. The Royal Oak design depends on the sharpness of its polished chamfers and the contrast between brushed and polished finishing. An over-polished case rounds the bevels and flattens the signature lines, which collectors notice immediately and price accordingly.
Bracelet stretch. The integrated AP bracelet is riveted rather than pinned. On older pieces the links develop lateral play, visible as a sag when the watch is held horizontally. Bracelet replacement is not trivial and affects resale.
Box, papers and service history. Audemars Piguet certificates, the original box and a documented service record from Audemars Piguet or a recognised independent add a meaningful premium over unpapered examples. A watch with no papers is not a deal breaker, but it is a price correction.
Movement service interval. Calibre 2385 benefits from service every five to seven years. Ask for the last service date before buying, and budget accordingly if the interval is open.
Price context for the UK market
Pre-owned Royal Oak Chronograph pricing in the UK as of April 2026 sits roughly as follows, before condition, papers and dial variant adjustments. These are secondary market ranges, not retail, and move with market conditions.
- 39mm steel 25860 or 26300: typically £22,000 to £32,000
- 41mm steel 26320 or 26331 (blue, black, white dial): typically £28,000 to £40,000
- 41mm rose gold 26320OR or 26331OR: typically £48,000 to £72,000
- 26331IP Titanium and Platinum 20th anniversary: typically £55,000 to £75,000
- 26240CE Black Ceramic with Calibre 4401: typically £75,000 to £110,000
- Rare editions (Leo Messi, Alinghi, Dubail, 50 Years): wide range, typically £45,000 to £150,000+
Audemars Piguet retail pricing on current 41mm steel references sits broadly in the £35,000 to £40,000 band in the UK, with gold and ceramic variants running considerably higher. The gap between retail and the secondary market varies by reference, metal and condition, and is one of the dynamics shaping UK buying decisions.
Why buy from Time 4 Diamonds
Time 4 Diamonds has operated from London since 2005, with a showroom at 3 More London Riverside and a second base in Dubai. Every Audemars Piguet sold through us is authenticated by our in-house watchmakers against published Audemars Piguet specifications, serviced where required and delivered with a 12 month Time 4 Diamonds warranty. We also run full servicing and trade-in against existing Audemars Piguet pieces. Private appointments at either location can be booked via the banner below.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph discontinued?
No. The Royal Oak Chronograph remains in current Audemars Piguet production. The older Calibre 2385 references (26320, 26331 and earlier) were discontinued in 2021 and replaced by the Calibre 4401 references in the 26240 and 26239 families.
What is the price of an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph?
New Audemars Piguet retail on a current 41mm steel Royal Oak Chronograph sits in the £35,000 to £40,000 band in the UK, with gold and ceramic variants running considerably higher. Pre-owned 26331ST references typically trade between £28,000 and £40,000 depending on condition, papers and dial variant. Prices move with market conditions.
What movement is in the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph?
References up to 2021 run the Calibre 2385, a 37-jewel self-winding chronograph based on the Frédéric Piguet 1185, with a 40 hour power reserve. From 2021 onwards the line uses the in-house Calibre 4401, a flyback chronograph with a 70 hour power reserve.
What size is the Royal Oak Chronograph?
Most modern production sits at 41mm. Audemars Piguet produced a 39mm version in the 25860 and 26300 families through to 2012. A smaller 38mm case has also appeared on selected later references. Case thickness on the 41mm runs around 11mm, which is flat for a self-winding chronograph on a bracelet.
Is the Royal Oak Chronograph a good investment?
Steel Royal Oak Chronographs have historically held their value well on the pre-owned market, and rare limited editions can command notable premiums over standard production references. However, secondary market prices vary significantly by reference, metal and condition, and not every limited edition has outperformed. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Watches should not be treated as a substitute for traditional financial investments, and independent financial advice should be sought before making any purchase primarily for investment purposes.
What is the difference between 26320 and 26331?
Both are 41mm Royal Oak Chronographs running Calibre 2385. The 26320 was produced from 2012 to 2017 and used the older subdial layout. The 26331 replaced it in 2017 with a revised dial, updated bracelet construction and a softer case profile. The 26331 is the more recent and generally more sought after of the two.
Can I customise a Royal Oak Chronograph at Time 4 Diamonds?
Yes. Our London workshop builds bespoke Royal Oak Chronographs to specification, including diamond-set cases, bezels, bracelets and dials, as well as custom dial configurations in the Audemars Piguet factory style. Brief the piece through the appointment banner below with your target reference and the work required.
