A Statement in Style… the AP Royal Oak Chronograph 41mm in Yellow Gold

In 2022, Audemars Piguet unveiled a plethora of new Royal Oak models to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this iconic line. Among these releases stood the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm reference 26240, adorned, like other anniversary automatic editions, with a special rotor sporting a prominent 50 logo. However, by 2023, these gave way to regular models featuring the typical AP rotors, and new references were added to the permanent collection. This March marked the debut of a remarkable one: the striking APRO Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm 26240BA in radiant yellow gold on a matching bracelet. It is adorned with a luxurious gold-toned gradient dial and powered by the AP calibre 4401, an in-house, integrated flyback chronograph movement initially showcased in 2019 with the Code 11.59 collection. With its striking aesthetics, solid construction, advanced movement and good history, this new chronograph is in high demand.

Sporting a 41mm diameter and 12.4mm thickness, the 26240BA boasts a robust 18k yellow gold case and bracelet, lending it a substantial feel. When worn, its weight provides a satisfying heft, enhancing the commanding presence. The interplay of polished and brushed surfaces across the octagonal bezel, case, lugs, screw-lock crown, screwed chronograph pushers and bracelet ensures a captivating play of light, imbuing the timepiece with a luxurious radiant allure. On the wrist, this yellow gold Royal Oak Chronograph exudes the grandeur of an architectural masterpiece, commanding attention with its formidable structure.

The dynamic fusion of a yellow gold timepiece with a gradient yellow gold-toned dial first made waves in 2022 with the unveiling of the Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin 16202BA, a blend of boldness and elegance. However, when this distinctive aesthetic is applied to a chronograph, with its wider-bodied design with protruding pushers, it evokes an entirely different and more powerful feel, further accentuated by the dial’s grande tapisserie pattern – and not the petite tapisserie dial of the Jumbo 16202BA.

The gold-coloured gradient dial transitions from radiant yellow gold at the centre to a deep black at the periphery, providing a backdrop for the functional features. The snailed 12-hour counter at 3, 30-minute counter at 9 and running seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock stand out boldly against this gradient canvas with their metallic gold tone. The date window positioned at 4:30, while matching the dial’s colour, sometimes blends into the darker tones, occasionally escaping notice altogether.

Despite the striking colour scheme, the dial’s readability is flawless. It boasts crisp white markers along the minutes/seconds track on the dark periphery, while the faceted, baton-type applied yellow gold indices with luminescent coating effortlessly catch the light. The sub-dials are adorned with black markers and numerals, their small black hands easily distinguishable against the radiant circles. Completing the functional ensemble is the gold AP handset, featuring luminescent-treated hour and minute hands and the central chronograph seconds hand with its distinctive oval counterweight.

Speaking of functions, the date rapidly transitions at midnight, and the chronograph operates confidently and quickly, making it a delight to witness the flyback in action – the combination of a column wheel and a vertical clutch does help in this context. Additionally, the satisfying sound emitted by the pushers when pressed adds an extra layer of enjoyment for those who appreciate such details.

All credit for these features goes to the high-end calibre 4401, Audemars Piguet’s own self-winding, integrated chronograph column-wheel movement. It ensures reliable performance with a generous power reserve of 70 hours and operates at 28,800 vibrations/hour. Through the sapphire crystal caseback, one can admire the meticulous decoration of the movement, which includes straight and circular satin brushing, Geneva stripes, and perlage, meticulously applied on both sides of the bridges, even in concealed areas. The bridges boast large, impeccably diamond-polished chamfers, while all engravings are rendered in gold-toned accents. Moreover, the openworked 22k gold rotor featuring the AP logo is designed to offer an unobstructed view of the intricate mechanics beneath. 

Thoughts and Price

In conclusion, it’s difficult to find fault with the 26240 series overall, especially considering its widespread desirability among nearly everyone we know. It’s rare to encounter someone who doesn’t aspire to own one, and those who don’t are most likely to already possess one. Criticism over its not-so-sporty 50m water resistance seems trivial, as few would decline ownership based on this factor.

This new iteration, the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41mm in yellow gold with a gradient yellow gold-toned dial, is a definitive statement in style. Its presence (and EUR 78,000 price) exudes confidence and has the potential to transform even the most timid wearer. The notion of conspicuous consumption feels outdated in the face of such a well-crafted timepiece. Any differing opinions on the new APRO 26240BA chronograph’s aesthetics and functionality are encouraged in the comments section below – and yes, you can also opt for a more subtle and half-priced version in steel (with a black, silver, green or blue dial). For more details, please visit audemarspiguet.com.