The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon reference 26730ST.OO.1320ST.02 is a high-complication luxury sports watch featuring a 41mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 10.6mm. The timepiece is defined by the collection’s iconic octagonal bezel secured by eight hexagonal screws and an integrated stainless steel bracelet with a folding AP clasp. Its aesthetic is centered around a smoked blue dial adorned with the “Grande Tapisserie” pattern, featuring white gold applied hour markers and Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating for enhanced legibility.
The primary complication of this model is the flying tourbillon positioned at 6 o’clock, which rotates to counteract the effects of gravity on the movement’s accuracy. It is powered by the in-house self-winding Calibre 2950, which operates at a frequency of 3 Hz and provides a power reserve of approximately 65 hours. The watch also includes standard hour and minute functions and is water-resistant up to 50 meters. A sapphire crystal caseback allows for a view of the meticulously finished movement, which in 2022 production years featured a special 50th-anniversary oscillating weight.
General reviews of the 26730ST highlight its successful integration of a grand complication into the classic Royal Oak silhouette, noting that the 10.6mm case thickness remains remarkably wearable despite the mechanical complexity. Collectors frequently praise the “Grande Tapisserie” dial’s gradient effect and the visual drama of the openworked tourbillon. While highly regarded for its technical mastery and finishing, some critics note that the brushed steel surfaces are prone to scratches with regular use and that the high market demand makes it difficult to acquire through authorized dealers.