Watch OverviewAudemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26331ST with a black dial is one of the most recognizable modern chronographs in the luxury watch world. It’s a watch that blends decades of Royal Oak history with refined design updates and everyday versatility, making it a standout choice for collectors who appreciate heritage, function, and bold aesthetics. Introduced in 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Royal Oak Chronograph line, the 26331ST represented a thoughtful evolution of the series. It retained the core design elements that made the Royal Oak an icon—like the octagonal bezel, integrated bracelet, and Tapisserie dial—but updated the chronograph layout for a cleaner, more symmetrical look. With this release, Audemars Piguet moved the chronograph subdials to a horizontal 3-6-9 layout, a change from the previous generation’s 6-9-12 configuration, and it instantly gave the dial a more balanced, legible appearance. The black dial variant of the 26331ST holds a unique place within the collection. While blue dials often dominate attention in the Royal Oak line, the black dial offers a sleek, understated charm that wears equally well in casual and formal settings. It’s less flashy but no less powerful. The contrast between the deep black Tapisserie surface and the polished white gold markers creates a dial that feels precise and clean, with just the right touch of sportiness. For collectors who appreciate monochrome elegance with high-end finishing, the black dial delivers exactly that. It’s a version that doesn’t try too hard but rewards close inspection, especially under different lighting conditions where the dial texture comes alive. From a technical standpoint, the 26331ST is powered by the Audemars Piguet Caliber 2385, a movement used reliably in the Royal Oak Chronograph line for years. While it’s not an in-house design, it has proven to be robust, thin, and well-suited to the Royal Oak’s relatively slim case profile. For most collectors, this movement is more than sufficient, and its performance and track record have kept the chronograph dependable across generations. What makes the 26331ST compelling is how Audemars Piguet combined modern refinements with respect for the original vision of the Royal Oak: a watch that can be worn daily, with sophistication and strength, without feeling over-designed or overly delicate. The collector response to the black dial 26331ST has always been strong, especially among those who want the look and feel of a classic Royal Oak without leaning into more colorful or precious metal variations. The steel case and bracelet, paired with a black dial, hit a sweet spot of luxury and subtlety that appeals to a broad range of watch enthusiasts. It’s a model that works well in rotation and holds its own in a sea of competing chronographs. As the Royal Oak Chronograph continues to evolve, and as more complicated or limited editions come into the spotlight, the 26331ST with a black dial remains one of the most grounded and versatile entries in the collection—a piece that stays true to the Royal Oak legacy while still feeling fresh and modern today.