Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26240CE.OO.1225CE.02 – Black Ceramic

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph reference 26240CE.OO.1225CE.02 represents the cutting edge of modern Royal Oak design and one of Audemars Piguet’s most technically impressive in-house chronograph movements. Executed entirely in black ceramic, this reference is both stealthy and luxurious, offering extreme scratch resistance alongside unmistakable Royal Oak presence.

The watch is housed in a 41mm black ceramic case, featuring the signature satin-brushed surfaces, polished bevels, and exposed white gold hexagonal screws on the bezel. The integrated black ceramic bracelet continues the same meticulous finishing, delivering a fluid, architectural look while remaining lightweight and exceptionally durable on the wrist.

The dial is finished in a black “Grande Tapisserie” pattern, providing depth and texture while maintaining excellent legibility. Contrasting 18k rose gold applied hour markers and hands, filled with luminescent material, add warmth and refinement against the dark backdrop. The tri-compax chronograph layout includes recessed subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, with a discreet date window positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock, perfectly balanced within the dial design.

At the heart of this timepiece is the Audemars Piguet Caliber 4401, a fully in-house, automatic flyback chronograph movement. This modern caliber features a column wheel and vertical clutch, ensuring precise chronograph engagement and smooth operation. The flyback function allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted instantly with a single push, a feature typically reserved for high end professional chronographs. The movement offers an impressive 70 hour power reserve and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour. Through the sapphire caseback, the movement reveals refined finishing, including Geneva stripes, polished bevels, and an openworked rotor in black