One of the flagship models of the iconic Royal Oak line will finally be available with its own movement, along with three additional case options, including a luxurious diamond-set version.

Whatever one writes, it would be trivial to rehash the iconic status of the Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet Replica. Over 50 years old, the creation of the equally legendary Gerald Genta remains a pillar of the Swiss manufacturer’s products and accounts for the lion’s share of its annual releases. This time is no different, although the extraordinary Neo Frame Jumping Hour may have stolen the show.

Among the array of new Royal Oak models, the 38mm chronograph should be particularly appealing to true connoisseurs. While not new to the collection, the watch has just received one of its most significant modifications – its own movement.

Until now, the RO 38 with a stopwatch function was powered by the automatic caliber 2385, effectively the Frédéric Piguet 1185. It did this for a good 29 years, until the time finally came for a long-awaited change. The new, mechanical heart of the smaller AP chronograph is now the caliber 6401.

The movement was designed and manufactured to the highest chronograph standards. It features a fully integrated construction, a column wheel, a vertical clutch, and a balance wheel clocked at 4 Hz. The AP adds a full 55-hour power reserve and a truly aesthetically pleasing design, topped by a rose gold rotor. This is the first RO Chronograph 38mm with a transparent caseback, allowing the movement to be admired in its full glory. Audemars Piguet also announced that the new movement will soon be available in select Royal Oak Offshore models.

Importantly, the caliber 6401 has retained its slim proportions, resulting in a watch measuring a mere 11.1 mm thick – more than respectable for an automatic chronograph. The new movement also introduced several modifications to the dial itself. The chronograph counters now occupy the 3 and 9 o’clock positions (12-hour and 30-minute counters, respectively), complemented by a small seconds dial at 6 o’clock. An angled date display is integrated between the 4 and 5 o’clock indices.

The dial is traditionally adorned with a Grande Tapisserie guilloché pattern, in a color that matches the case material. For example, the steel model is paired with the classic blue shade “Blue Nuit, Nuage 50.” The rose gold is paired with a gray dial and beige subdials, or – in the version with a diamond-set bezel – a sand-colored dial with beige subdials.

All three options are paired with bracelets and are finished, as befits a Royal Oak – with a blend of satin and polished finishes, perfectly accentuating the geometric shapes and sharp, expressive, and even rugged lines.

The steel version of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 38 mm retails for CHF 34,000 (~PLN 157,000). The gold one is priced at CHF 66,700 (~PLN 307,500), while the diamond one raises it even further to CHF 72,400 (~PLN 333,500).