The 26240ST in black is the stainless steel version of Audemars Piguet’s current-generation Royal Oak Chronograph, and this replica Royal-Oak 26240ST black follows that reference closely. Where the rose gold 26240OR reads dressy, the steel 26240ST stays firmly in sporty-luxury territory. The black Grande Tapisserie dial paired with a brushed steel case and integrated bracelet delivers the classic Royal Oak formula that Gerald Genta first sketched in 1972 — an octagonal bezel with exposed screws, an integrated bracelet, and a thin profile that defies the complexity of the chronograph movement inside.

Build Details

• Case diameter: 41mm
• Case material: stainless steel
• Dial: black Grande Tapisserie with two subdials
• Bezel: octagonal, 8 hex screws, steel
• Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
• Bracelet: integrated stainless steel
• Movement: automatic chronograph
• Functions: chronograph, date at 4:30

The two-counter chronograph places the 30-minute totalizer at 9 o’clock and running seconds at 6 o’clock. The date window sits between 4 and 5 o’clock, a positioning choice that balances the dial symmetry better than a traditional 3 o’clock date.

What Collectors Notice

The 26240 generation introduced several refinements over the previous 26331. The case is slightly thinner, the pushers are integrated more flush with the case contour, and the subdial registers sit deeper into the dial surface. These are details visible only in person, but they represent genuine design progress. Compared to the 15500ST rubber-strap version, the 26240ST trades simplicity for complication — same octagonal language, different purpose. The full Royal Oak range spans from quartz ladies’ pieces to perpetual calendars, and the 26240ST sits comfortably in the middle as the core steel chronograph.

This vs Other Versions

Black dial on stainless steel is the most versatile configuration in the 26240 lineup. Rose gold versions lean formal. Blue and green dials attract trend-conscious buyers. The black-on-steel combination goes everywhere without drawing unnecessary attention, which is arguably the point of the original Royal Oak concept — a luxury sports watch that works in any context. This replica Royal-Oak 26240ST black captures that everyday-luxury positioning without compromise.