[Audemars Piguet] A thorough comparison of three generations of the Ro

Audemars Piguet is a long-established Swiss luxury watch brand, one of the world's three major watch brands. The Royal Oak Chronograph, which was launched in 1997 as a derivative model of the brand's representative Royal Oak, has been loved by many people for over 20 years since its launch, thanks to its wide variety of case sizes, dials, materials, straps, etc.

This time, we will go back three generations of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph (Ref. 26320, Ref. 26331, and Ref. 26239) and make a thorough comparison! If you want a Royal Oak Chronograph but are unsure which model to buy, or if you want to know the history of the Royal Oak Chronograph, this is a must-read, so be sure to read until the end.

【table of contents】

Introducing the three generations of the Royal Oak Chronograph

First, we will introduce the three models we will be comparing: Ref. 26320, Ref. 26331, and Ref. 26239.

Two generations ago Ref.26320

Specifications

Case diameter	41mm	Bezel	SS or YG or PG
Dial	Black or Silver or Blue	Luminous	Luminova
material	SS or YG or PG	bracelet	SS or YG or PG
Waterproof	50m	Drive system	Automatic
Cal	2385	Power reserve	Approximately 40 hours

The " Ref. 26320 " was released in 2012 , the 40th anniversary of the Royal Oak. The size has increased from 39mm in the previous model to 41mm , and the index at 12 o'clock on the dial has changed from an inverted triangle to a double bar. The buckle has been changed to a double-opening clasp, making it easier to put on and take off.

Previous generation Ref.26331

Specifications

Case diameter	41mm	Bezel	SS or YG or PG or WG or PT
Dial	Black or Silver or Blue or Gray or Brown or Green	Luminous	Luminova
material	SS or YG or PG or WG or TI×PT	bracelet	SS or YG or PG or WG or TI×PT
Waterproof	50m	Drive system	Automatic
Cal	2385	Power reserve	Approximately 40 hours

The " Ref. 26331 " was released in 2017 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak Chronograph. The basic specifications are the same as the previous model, but the design of the sub-dial has been changed to improve visibility.

Latest generation model, Ref. 26239

Specifications

Case diameter	41mm	Bezel	PG or WG
Dial	Black or Silver or Blue	Luminous	Luminova
material	PG or WG	bracelet	PG or WG
Waterproof	50m	Drive system	Automatic
Cal	4401	Power reserve	Approximately 70 hours

The 2021 " Ref.26239 ". Equipped with the automatic movement " Cal.4401" with a flyback function, the power reserve has been improved to about 70 hours. In addition, the back cover has become see-through, which is a very welcome change for watch lovers.

Spec comparison between "Ref.26320" and "Ref.26331"

Let's start by comparing "Ref.26320" and "Ref.26331".
The main specifications are as follows:

Reference 26320

Reference 26331

41mm	Case diameter	41mm
SS or YG or PG	Bezel	SS or YG or PG or WG or PT
Black or Silver or Blue	Dial	Black or Silver or Blue or Gray or Brown or Green
Luminova	Luminous	Luminova
SS or YG or PG	material	SS or YG or PG or WG or TI×PT
SS or YG or PG	bracelet	SS or YG or PG or WG or TI×PT
50m	Waterproof	50m
Automatic	Drive system	Automatic
Cal.2385	Cal	Cal.2385
Approximately 40 hours	Power reserve	Approximately 40 hours

❶【Dial】

In-dial color

Reference 26320	Same as dial color
Reference 26331	Different from the dial color

The Ref. 26320 used a dial and sub-dials of the same color, but the Ref. 26331 has dials and sub-dials of different colors, which improves visibility.

In-dial size

Reference 26320	Large small second at 6 o'clock, small 12-hour and 30-minute counters
Reference 26331	Small second at 6 o'clock: small, 12-hour counter and 30-minute counter: large

Compared to the previous model, Ref. 26320, the small second hand at 6 o'clock in the Ref. 26331 is smaller, and the 12-hour and 30-minute counters are larger. Not only has visibility improved, but the impact at first glance has also increased.

❷ [Case/Bracelet]

material

Reference 26320	SS or YG or PG
Reference 26331	SS or YG or PG or WG or TI×PT

The "Ref. 26320" was available in three different materials, but the "Ref. 26331" has a wider variety of materials. New dial colors, such as brown and green, have also been introduced.

Spec comparison between "Ref.26331" and "Ref.26239"

Next, let's compare "Ref.26331" and "Ref.26239".
The main specifications are as follows:

Reference 26331

Reference 26239

41mm	Case diameter	41mm
SS or YG or PG or WG or PT	Bezel	PG or WG
Black or Silver or Blue or Gray or Brown or Green	Dial	Black or Silver or Blue
Luminova	Luminous	Luminova
SS or YG or PG or WG or TI×PT	material	PG or WG
SS or YG or PG or WG or TI×PT	bracelet	PG or WG
50m	Waterproof	50m
Automatic	Drive system	Automatic
Cal.2385	Cal	Cal.4401
Approximately 40 hours	Power reserve	Approximately 70 hours

❶【Dial】

In-dial placement

Reference 26331	The in-dial is in the center
Reference 26239	The inner dial is closer to the outer edge

In the "Ref. 26331," the sub-dials were located toward the center, but in the "Ref. 26239," they have been moved toward the outer periphery of the dial. In addition, the position of the calendar has also been moved toward the outside, improving the balance of the dial.

Size of the small second

Reference 26331	small
Reference 26239	big

In the "Ref. 26331", only the small second hand was one size smaller than the other subdials, but in the "Ref. 26239", the size of the subdials has been unified. As the small second hand has become larger, the bar index at 6 o'clock has become smaller.

❷【Case】

Case back

Reference 26331	Closed Back
Reference 26239	See-through case back

The "Ref. 26331" has the letters "Royal Oak" engraved on the back cover, but the "Ref. 26239" has a see-through back, allowing you to see the movement of the automatic movement "Cal. 4401".

❸【Movement】

Movement

Reference 26331	Cal.2385
Reference 26239	Cal.4401

The Cal. 2385 has been used for over 20 years since the first model, but the Ref. 26239 is equipped with the in-house developed Cal. 4401 movement, which has an increased power reserve from 40 hours to 70 hours and a vibration frequency from 21,600 vibrations to 28,800 vibrations.

summary

What did you think?

This time, we compared three generations of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph, and we hope you can see how it has evolved over the years.

The Royal Oak Chronograph has its own unique charm: the Ref. 26320 has a clean look thanks to the uniform color of the dial and sub-dials; the Ref. 26331 is a 20th anniversary model that continues to be popular to this day; and the Ref. 26239 has improved not only in design but also in functionality.

Please come and find your favorite model.

Tags: Other column, オーデマピゲ

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