The AP Royal Oak Chronograph 26331ST replica (ref. 26331ST.OO.1220ST.03) is the 41 mm steel chronograph with the “panda” dial: a silver-toned Grande Tapisserie base with three black sub-dials framed by silver rims. The 12-hour counter sits at 9, the 30-minute counter at 3 and the small seconds at 6, while the date window is placed between 4 and 5 o’clock and two pushers flank the crown. White baton markers and Royal Oak hands stand out against the pale centre. Case, bezel and integrated bracelet are stainless steel, as on the genuine, which Audemars Piguet presented in 2017 and replaced with the 26240 in 2022.

Royal Oak Chronograph 26331ST Specifications

• Reference: 26331ST.OO.1220ST.03
• Collection: Royal Oak Chronograph 41 mm
• Case diameter: 41 mm
• Case thickness: 11 mm on the genuine
• Case and bracelet: stainless steel
• Dial: silver-toned Grande Tapisserie, black counters at 3, 6 and 9, white applied hour markers
• Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hour counters, date
• Movement: clone Cal. 2385, automatic chronograph
• Power reserve: about 38 hours (genuine Cal. 2385: 40 hours)
• Water resistance: 50 m (not for swimming)
• Factory: APS

26331 vs 26240: Which Royal Oak Chronograph?

The 26240 keeps the 41 mm diameter but grows from 11 to 12.4 mm in height on the genuine, because its Calibre 4401 is an integrated column-wheel chronograph with a flyback function and 70 hours of reserve, against 40 hours for the Calibre 2385 in the 26331. The newer dial also makes all three sub-dials the same size, where the 26331 has a smaller seconds register at 6, and moves the date closer to the edge. Choose the 26331 for the slimmer case and the classic panda look of the 2017 generation; choose the 26240 if the flyback and the longer reserve matter more to you than a lower profile.

Why is it called a panda Royal Oak replica?

Because of the colour scheme: a light silver dial with black sub-dials resembles a panda’s face, the nickname collectors give to any chronograph with this contrast, and on the Royal Oak it makes the counters easy to read at a glance.

Does the 26331 super clone have a date?

Yes, a date window sits between 4 and 5 o’clock, cut into the Tapisserie pattern between the minute counter and the small seconds, in the same position as on the genuine 26331.

Other Royal Oak Chronograph 26331 versions in stock: the Royal Oak Chronograph 26331ST in steel with a blue dial, the black-dial 26331ST and the 26331OR in rose gold tone with a blue dial. See the full AP Royal Oak replica collection.