Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph

Gerald Genta was the first — and arguably, the most important — "celebrity" watch designer. Having conceived many important silhouettes, his most memorable work — the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak — was sketched in one day and 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 maisons. What's particularly delightful about the design of the Royal Oak is that it works brilliantly in a number of sizes and case materials, from steel to carbon fiber to solid gold. This chronograph model, a Reference 26331ST.OO.1220ST.01, features a 41mm stainless steel case with the R.O.'s signature octagonal bezel and exposed screws, as well as a sapphire crystal, chronograph pushers nestled in an octagonal housing, and a signed, screw-down crown. The case finish is a testament to the manufacture's attention to detail, highlighted by a beautiful, satin-brushed bezel hood and polished facets that seamlessly transition into the integrated steel bracelet.  Complemented by applied white gold indices; a rhodium-toned, triple-register display; and a date window between 4 o'clock and 5 o'clock set against a blue Grand Tapisserie dial, this piece wears incredibly well on the wrist thanks to its balanced proportions buoyed by the streamlined architecture of the self-winding Calibre 2385 engine within. Its presence on the wrist of Donald Glover in the latest iteration of Mr. & Mrs. Smith proves just how versatile this Royal Oak Chronograph is. Whether you’re in the midst of a clandestine mission or you simply need a timepiece to complete a neck-breaking fit, it will not let you down.