====== Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph ======
In [[1998]], [[Audemars Piguet]] launched a [[chronograph]] version of the [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak|Royal Oak]] watch.

===== History =====
Note that the [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph|Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph]] pre-dates this Royal Oak Chronograph by five years, but the [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore|Offshore]] is a very different watch despite both being in the Royal Oak family.

Although the [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak]] dates to [[1972]], it was not until [[1998]] that the company released a [[chronograph]] model. That first version, [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 25860|Ref. 25860]], measured 39mm and was fitted with the [[ultra-thin]] [[AP 2385|Cal. 2385]]. This same calibre is used in all Royal Oak chronograph watches to date, and is based on an [[F. Piguet]] movement, [[FP 1185|Cal. 1185]], that is also used in the [[Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph]] and [[Breguet Marine Chronograph]].

In [[2002]], Audemars Piguet released the [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph 25977|Ref. 25977 Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph]] to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak|Royal Oak line]].

The company redesigned the Royal Oak Chronograph case in [[2008]] for [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26300|Ref. 26300]] with screws that extend through the case like the [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore|Offshore]]. One of the only visible differences is contrasting paint on the tips of the subdial hands for some models and a new "AP" logo [[single-deployant]] [[clasp]] instead of the simple box style. The similar [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26022|Ref. 26022]] was also introduced at this time. This 39 mm model was retired in [[2012]] and replaced by a larger 41 mm line.

The model line was refreshed in [[2012]] with a new 41 mm case. Although the movement is the same, many details are updated, including the signature "[[grande tapisserie]]" dial texture and the addition of a "[[butterfly]]" clasp with buttons. The larger 41 mm [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26320|Ref. 26320]] was now the standard Royal Oak Chronograph model. [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26325|The "Leo Messi" Ref. 26325]] was also introduced, with a [[tantalum]] bezel but without the tapisserie dial, in steel, gold, or a platinum Limited Edition.

The Royal Oak Chronograph was again refreshed in [[2017]] at [[SIHH]] with larger hour and minute chronograph subdials and a reduced small seconds subdial. Other changes include shorter and wider hour markers with more lume, and a new typeface on the subdials. The reference number was updated to [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26331|Ref. 26331]] at this time.

In [[2019]] at [[SIHH]], Audemars Piguet released a 38 mm version of the Royal Oak Chronograph, [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26315|Ref. 26315]], returning to a smaller offering for the first time in 7 years.

===== Models =====
The following Royal Oak Chronograph models have been produced 

  * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 25860|Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 25860]] (1998-2008) - 39 mm, [[AP 2385|Cal. 2385]]
    * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 25960|Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 25960]] - 39 mm, [[AP 2385|Cal. 2385]] (Also 25966/25967/25978)
    * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 25979|Royal Oak City of Sails for Alinghi Ref. 25979]]
  * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26300|Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26300]] (2008-2012) - 39 mm, [[AP 2385|Cal. 2385]]
    * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26022|Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26022]] - 39 mm, [[AP 2385|Cal. 2385]] (Also 26067/26068/26127/26129/26161)
    * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26557|Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26557]] - 39 mm, [[AP 2385|Cal. 2385]]
    * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26041|Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26041]] - 39 mm, [[AP 2385|Cal. 2385]] (Also 26035)
  * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26320|Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26320]] (2012-2017) - 41 mm, [[AP 2385|Cal. 2385]] (Also 26322/26326/26327)
    * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26325|Royal Oak Chronograph Leo Messi Ref. 26325]] (2012) - Tantalum bezel, available in stainless steel, gold, and a Limited Edition of 100 pieces in platinum
  * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26331|Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26331]] (2017-present) - Stainless steel, yellow gold, white gold, pink gold
    * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26338|Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26338]] (2019) - Platinum Unique Piece for One Drop Foundation
  * [[Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26315|Royal Oak Chronograph Ref. 26315]] (2019-present) - 38 mm, [[AP 2385|Cal. 2385]]

===== External Links =====
  * [[https://grail-watch.com/2019/04/12/the-history-of-the-audemars-piguet-royal-oak-chronograph/|The History of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph]]


{{tag>Watch_models Audemars_Piguet_Royal_Oak_models Audemars_Piguet_models}}