Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph

One name: Gerald Genta.  The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is perhaps Genta’s most memorable work, and in many ways changed the shape of the watch industry. The Royal Oak essentially created an entirely new category of 'luxury sport' timepieces, and with it came a new design language that inspired countless other manufactures. What's particularly delightful about the design of the Royal Oak is that it works brilliantly in a number of sizes and casing materials, from stainless steel to carbon fiber to solid gold. This particular Royal Oak is a chronograph model, Reference 26022OR.OO.D088CR.01 from the early 2000s. Housed in a substantial 39mm rose gold case with a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, a vertically satin brushed bezel, and screw-down chronograph pushers, it features a luminous white grande tapisserie dial with applied rectangular indices, a matching 'bathtub' handset, a date wheel at 4:30, and a triple-register chronograph with silver chronograph totalizers. Powered by the Audemars Piguet Calibre 2385 automatic movement, it comes paired to an integrated, signed brown leather strap with an AP-signed folding clasp. For the larger-wristed guy — or someone who simply prefers a more formidable timepiece — this Royal Oak Chronograph is the ideal modern watch. Once you've tried it on, we're sure you'll agree!