The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph reference 26240BC.GG.1324BC.01 is a Japan-exclusive luxury timepiece featuring a 41mm case and integrated bracelet crafted from 18-carat white gold. This model is distinguished by its Frosted Gold finish, a shimmering surface texture achieved through a traditional hammering technique. The watch features a grey Grande Tapisserie dial with black sub-dials, white gold applied hour-markers, and luminescent Royal Oak hands. It is protected by a glareproofed sapphire crystal and caseback, with a screw-locked crown ensuring water resistance up to 50 meters.
At the heart of the timepiece is the in-house self-winding Calibre 4401, an integrated flyback chronograph movement that offers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. The movement supports a central chronograph seconds hand, a 30-minute counter, a 12-hour counter, and a date display positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock. The flyback function allows the wearer to reset and restart the chronograph with a single press of the pusher. The intricate finishing of the movement, including Cotes de Geneve and circular graining, is visible through the transparent caseback.
General reviews emphasize the exceptional level of hand-finishing and the striking visual impact of the frosted white gold. While praised for its versatility and refined proportions, some collectors have noted the movement’s complexity can make it more fragile compared to standard sports watches. The watch is frequently described as a high-visibility piece due to the way the frosted finish catches the light, making it a prominent statement on the wrist. Critics occasionally mention that the chronograph pushers can feel stiff when new and that the high-polish bezel is prone to visible scratching over time.