Royal Oak Chronograph 26331 and 26240 Guide

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph is the three-register chronograph built on the standard 41 mm Royal Oak case, sold in steel as reference 26331 and in precious metal as reference 26240, alongside forged-carbon and titanium variants under related reference numbers. This guide covers the two references, what separates the steel and precious-metal versions, how the Royal Oak Chronograph compares with the larger Offshore Chronograph, current price context and what to check before buying. Bizak sources the Royal Oak Chronograph to order; the Royal Oak collection lists the configurations we can seek.

Last reviewed on September 26, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.

Royal Oak Chronograph 26331 and 26240 specifications

Source: Audemars Piguet, watch collection, which lists current Royal Oak Chronograph configurations across steel and precious metal.

What is the difference between the 26331 and 26240?

The two references share the same case, dial layout and movement architecture; the difference is material and, by extension, price. The 26331 is the steel reference and the more commonly requested of the two, both for its lower price and for the way steel wears against the sporty chronograph function. The 26240 is the precious-metal reference, offered in yellow, rose and white gold, and commands a significant premium for the same complication in a heavier, more formal-reading case. Buyers deciding between the two are usually choosing between steel's everyday versatility and gold's dressier presence rather than any functional difference in the chronograph itself.

How does the chronograph function work?

The Royal Oak Chronograph uses a column-wheel automatic chronograph movement with three subdials: running seconds, a 12-hour counter and a 30-minute counter, alongside a date window. The column-wheel construction, rather than a simpler cam-actuated system, is the more refined and more expensive way to control the chronograph's start, stop and reset functions, and it is one of the details AP highlights across the current Royal Oak Chronograph line. The pushers sit either side of the crown in the Royal Oak's signature integrated style rather than the more exposed guards seen on the larger Offshore Chronograph.

A short history of the Royal Oak Chronograph

AP added a chronograph to the Royal Oak line in the 1990s, initially through references built around a base automatic movement combined with a chronograph module, before moving in later years to an integrated column-wheel construction that the current 26331 and 26240 references use. The case has been updated more than once since the original chronograph references, most visibly in a redesign that brought the current Grande Tapisserie dial pattern and a cleaner subdial layout closer to the standard Selfwinding's proportions. Dial colours have expanded well beyond the original black and silver options, with blue becoming one of the most requested choices across both the steel and precious-metal references.

Which dial colour should you choose?

Blue is the most requested Royal Oak Chronograph dial, both for the way the Grande Tapisserie pattern catches light in blue and for its stronger secondary demand relative to other colours. Black remains the more understated, versatile option and is generally easier to source at retail. Slate and other grey tones sit between the two, reading as a quieter alternative to blue with some of the same visual depth. Rare or limited dial colours, when they appear, typically command the largest premium on the secondary market, more so than the steel-versus-gold distinction on its own.

Bizak's sourced catalogue: Royal Oak Chronograph prices

• Steel 26331, blue dial. On 26 September 2026 our sourced catalogue listed a 26331ST.OO.1220ST.01 at US$51,500 brand new, sourced to order.
• Yellow gold 26240. A 26240BA.OO.1320BA.02 yellow gold chronograph was listed at US$135,703, sourced to order.
• White gold 26240. A 26240BC.OO.1320BC.04 white gold chronograph was listed at US$134,929, sourced to order.

Those figures describe what we saw on the date given and will move with each new intake. Ask for a dated quote for the exact reference, dial and set.

Royal Oak Chronograph versus Offshore Chronograph: which to buy?

The Royal Oak Chronograph is the more versatile size for everyday wear and the closer relative to the original 1972 design; the Offshore Chronograph is the bolder, larger watch for buyers who want the Royal Oak name in its most maximalist form. Both use column-wheel automatic chronograph movements, so the choice is primarily about size and case character rather than mechanical substance.

How does the Royal Oak Chronograph wear?

At 41 mm with the standard Royal Oak's flatter case profile, the Chronograph wears close to the standard Selfwinding despite the added complication, since AP keeps the case thickness controlled even with three subdials on the dial. It suits a wide range of wrist sizes better than the larger Offshore Chronograph and sits comfortably under a cuff, something the bulkier Offshore struggles with. The bracelet, in steel or precious metal, is the heavier component and the one buyers should try on rather than judge from case diameter alone.

Is the Royal Oak Chronograph a good investment?

Treat it as a watch to wear rather than a financial instrument. The steel 26331 has generally held demand well on the secondary market as one of the more requested Royal Oak references, though less consistently at a premium than the simpler three-hand Selfwinding. Precious-metal 26240 references move more with gold content and dial rarity than with speculative demand. A full set with box, papers and any spare bracelet links tends to command a firmer price than a watch-only example, and buyers should factor that into any comparison between listings. Buy the dial colour and material you actually want; if resale matters, ask for a written cash-buy assessment before you commit.

Buying a used Royal Oak Chronograph: what to check

• Reference and dial match. Confirm the full reference number, including material and dial suffix, against the case back and dial print.
• Chronograph function. Start, stop and reset the chronograph and confirm all three subdial hands return to zero cleanly; a hand that does not reset to zero indicates a needed service. Listen for the pusher action, which should feel positive and mechanical rather than mushy.
• Bracelet stretch. The integrated bracelet is expensive to service; hold the watch by the clasp and look for sag between links.
• Case finishing. Sharp bevels on the octagonal bezel and crisp brushing on the case flanks; rounded edges indicate prior polishing.
• Warranty card and serial. The engraved case serial should match any accompanying card; AP does not reissue cards for lost paperwork.
• Movement service history. Ask for the last service date and receipt; AP's service information page outlines what a factory service covers.
• Price against the band. A reference offered well under the ranges above for its material and dial is the single most reliable warning sign.

Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch, and our Royal Oak authentication and collecting guide goes deeper on case and reference checks.

Quick answers

What is the Royal Oak Chronograph reference number?

The steel Royal Oak Chronograph is reference 26331; the precious-metal version, in yellow, rose or white gold, is reference 26240. Both use the same 41 mm case and column-wheel automatic chronograph movement.

How much does a Royal Oak Chronograph cost?

Bizak's sourced catalogue listed a steel 26331 at US$51,500 and precious-metal 26240 examples between US$134,929 and US$135,703, all brand new and sourced to order, on 26 September 2026.

What is the difference between the Royal Oak Chronograph and the Offshore Chronograph?

The Royal Oak Chronograph is 41 mm with restrained pushers and an integrated bracelet standard; the Offshore Chronograph is 43 to 44 mm with more pronounced crown guards and typically a rubber or leather strap.

Does the Royal Oak Chronograph use a column-wheel movement?

Yes. AP's current Royal Oak Chronograph uses a column-wheel automatic chronograph, generally regarded as a more refined chronograph construction than a cam-actuated system.

Is the steel Royal Oak Chronograph hard to get at retail?

It is one of the more requested current Royal Oak references, and allocation at authorised dealers can take time; precious-metal 26240 references are generally easier to obtain new.

Request a Royal Oak Chronograph sourcing quote

Tell us the reference, case material and dial colour you want, plus your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, papers and final price before you commit. Browse the Royal Oak collection, the wider Audemars Piguet collection, or sell or trade your Royal Oak.

Related reading: Audemars Piguet price guide · Royal Oak authentication and collecting guide · Richard Mille price guide · Rolex Daytona 126500LN guide.