Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41 (50th Anniversary gen)

Name: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41 (50th Anniversary gen)
Brand: Audemars Piguet
SKU: 26240ST

26240ST

The Royal Oak Chronograph reborn for its golden anniversary.

Estimated market value

$63,850

Confidence: High

An estimate from current market data — not an offer. Your actual value depends on condition, completeness, and authentication.

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Overview

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 41 reference 26240ST represents the 50th-anniversary generation of the iconic Royal Oak chronograph, introduced in 2021 in a 41 mm stainless steel case. It is powered by the in-house Calibre 4401, a column-wheel flyback chronograph movement developed specifically for this new chapter of the line. Available in blue, black, and green Grande Tapisserie dials, the reference refreshes the Royal Oak chronograph's proportions and movement architecture while remaining faithful to Gerald Genta's original 1972 design language.

History

The Royal Oak chronograph has been a cornerstone of Audemars Piguet's sports-luxury offering since the line's early decades, evolving through several generations of case size and movement. The 26240ST was unveiled in 2021 to mark the Royal Oak's 50th anniversary, replacing the outgoing 41 mm chronograph references and introducing the newly developed Calibre 4401. The Calibre 4401 brought a flyback function and column-wheel control to the in-house movement lineup, representing a significant technical step for the manufacture. Among collectors, the 26240ST is regarded as the definitive modern Royal Oak chronograph, with the anniversary context adding considerable historical weight to the reference.

Notable points

Calibre 4401 is an integrated, self-winding flyback chronograph movement developed entirely in-house by Audemars Piguet.
The 41 mm stainless steel case retains the Royal Oak's signature octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws, satin-brushed and polished finishing.
Grande Tapisserie dial pattern — a hallmark of the Royal Oak since 1972 — is offered in three distinct colourways: blue, black, and green.
Launched in 2021 as part of Audemars Piguet's broader 50th-anniversary Royal Oak programme, giving the reference a milestone provenance.
The flyback complication allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted in a single push, a practical advancement over the previous generation's movement.