Audemars Piguet is an ultra luxury manufacturer of Swiss timepieces. Founded in 1875, Audemars Piguet has made their namesakes proud as they are among the finest and highest quality watch manufacturers in the world.
Ultra luxury watches bring to mind the Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and Breguet brands, and this Swiss watchmaker ranks as prestigious as these innovative and legendary companies. They have continued to secure their place as ultra luxury manufacturers of timepieces because despite being founded 141 years ago, Audemars Piguet is still owned by the founding families, ensuring quality and tradition through the ages.
Brand: Audemars Piguet
Type: Royal Oak Chronograph Automatic Stainless Steel Men’s Watch
Model: 26320ST.OO.1220ST.01
Link: https://goo.gl/gRbOLo
Specs/Size/Design
The beautiful Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph is an Automatic Stainless Steel Men’s Watch of ultra luxury quality. This fine timepiece is bold, with a brushed Stainless Steel finish and a Grande Tapisserie black dial. With simple contrast that is dark and illuminating simultaneously, this Octagonal shaped timepiece is unlike any other luxury timepiece outside of the Audemars Piguet brand.
The white gold dial hands are a luxurious addition to this Royal Oak Chronograph. Matching the sub dial hands and stick hour markers, these hands are also luminous in dark conditions.
The design can best be described as a solid marine-style timepiece. Not quite nautical in nature, it still has elements of oceanic luxury.
At 41mm, the size of the case is perfect for men who do not want a timepiece that is too large or too small. Audemars Piguet nailed the look in this model from the Royal Oak Collection.
Technical Specifications and Features:
- Shape: Octagonal
- Case Diameter: 41mm
- Movement: Automatic
- Dial Color: Black, Grande Tapisserie Pattern
- Dial Window Material: Scratch Resistant Sapphire Crystal
- Case Material: Brushed Stainless Steel
- Case Thickness: 10.8mm
- Band Material: Brushed Stainless Steel
- Bezel Material: Brushed Stainless Steel
- Bezel Function: Stationary
- Calendar: Date Display between 4 and 5 o’clock positions
- Chronograph
- 3 Sub Dials: 60 Second, 30 Minute, and 12 Hour
- Water Resistant: 50 Meters
- Power Reserve: 40 Hours
- Minute Markers around Outer Rim
- Luminous Hands and Markers
- Made in Switzerland
Power Source
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Automatic Stainless Steel Men’s Watch (model 26320ST.OO.1220ST.01) utilizes a Swiss Automatic movement. Using the kinetic energy of the watch-wearer to power this movement, this highly accurate self winding Automatic will run as smooth as silk for years to come.
The Good
With beautiful luminous white gold dial hands keeping the time on this Swiss made Chronograph, this timepiece of the famous Royal Oak collection features a black dial face textured with the Grand Tapiesserie pattern. The stick hour markers keep this watch looking sleek and sophisticated.
With a genuine scratch resistant Sapphire crystal protecting the gorgeous dial, you will have no problem keeping time with this 41mm case. The dial includes a calendar date window between the 4 and 5 o’clock positions as well as three sub dials displaying: 60 second, 30 minute, and 12 hour. These sub dials are located at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. In addition to these elements, there are minute markers around the outer rim of the black dial.
The Automatic movement features a 40 hour Power Reserve when the timepiece is not being worn.
This ultra luxury watch features the unique Octagonal case and bezel. This brushed Stainless Steel even contains 8 screws on the bezel at each edge of the Octagon, which finishes off the nearly marine quality elements in this design.
The Stainless Steel band is secure with its deployment clasp with push button. Water resistant up to 50 meters, you do not have to worry about ruining this ultra luxury watch when immersed in water.
The Bad
While not negative per se, it would have been nice to see a greater water resistance. This timepiece has the capability to have at least a 100 meter water resistance. With the screw down crown, solid case back, genuine Sapphire crystal, and Stainless Steel construction, 50 meters is plenty for most wearers, however.
Highlights
The highlight of this Audemars Piguet watch from the Royal Oak Collection, is the Octogonal case and bezel, complete with 8 designer screws at the points of each part of the Octagon.
The glimpse of the dial through the genuine scratch-resistant Sapphire crystal dial window is stunning. This crystal, paired with the screw down crown, makes for a tightly fit and solid construction.
With such an attractive black, textured Grand Tapiesserie dial face, this Octagonal design stands out tremendously and lets others know who exactly you are wearing.
Pricing
You can purchase the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Automatic Stainless Steel Men’s Watch (model 26320ST.OO.1220ST.01) via online retailers such as Amazon.com, for $20,794.00.
Overall Impression
Overall, it is rare to see a nearly perfect luxury timepiece. However, this ultra luxury Audemars Piguet is as close to a classic piece of perfect Swiss craftsmanship as one may get. From every link and screw, down to the dial hands and buckle clasp, this Royal Oak Stainless Steel model is a gorgeous Men’s timepiece that will transcend trends and time.
See our review for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Black Dial Stainless Steel (15400ST.OO.1220ST.01