Two-tone sub-dials against a blue Grande Tapisserie background give this replica royal oak 26331ST its distinctive panda-style character. The chronograph registers at three and nine o’clock use a silver-toned finish that contrasts sharply with the surrounding blue, creating a dial layout that reads with immediate clarity even at speed. Inside, the Cal. 2385 drives the column-wheel chronograph with the kind of mechanical precision that integrated movements rarely achieve at this price point.
Column-Wheel Chronograph Architecture
The Cal. 2385 uses a column-wheel mechanism to engage and disengage the chronograph function, rather than the cheaper cam-actuated system found in most chronographs at comparable price levels. The practical difference is felt in the pushers: the start, stop, and reset actions have a clean, decisive click with no lateral play. The 40-hour power reserve is modest by current standards, though it reflects the additional energy draw of the chronograph train.
At 11 mm, the 26331ST adds just 0.4 mm over the time-only 15500ST. AP achieved this by developing the 2385 as an integrated movement rather than bolting a chronograph module onto an existing base. The result is a watch that wears like a daily piece rather than a tool reserved for timing events. See the complete Royal Oak range for all chronograph and time-only options.
The Panda Dial in Context
Watch collectors use “panda” to describe any chronograph dial where the sub-registers contrast sharply with the main dial color. The 26331ST.01 reverses the classic formula: instead of a light main dial with dark registers, it places silver sub-dials against the signature AP blue. The effect borrows from mid-century racing chronographs while remaining entirely modern in execution.
The small seconds at six o’clock and the 30-minute counter at nine provide the functional displays, while the date window sits between four and five. Compare the tonal approach with the black-dial 26331ST, which uses a monochromatic palette for a more subdued replica royal oak 26331ST interpretation. For answers to common questions about the chronograph mechanism and its operation, visit our FAQ page.
| Reference | 26331ST.OO.1220ST.01 |
| Case | 41 mm · Stainless steel |
| Bezel | Octagonal · 8 hexagonal screws |
| Dial | Blue · Grande Tapisserie · Silver sub-dials |
| Crystal | Sapphire · AR coating |
| Caliber | 2385 · Automatic chronograph · 40h reserve |
| Bracelet | Stainless steel integrated · AP folding clasp |
| Buckle | Stainless steel · AP folding clasp |
| Water | 50m / 5 ATM |
| Functions | Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Chronograph, Date |
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