February 3 2026

Royal Oak Chronograph 38mm Receives Audemars Piguet’s New Caliber 6401

Ricardo Amaral AUDEMARS PIGUET, NEW RELEASES 2026, Chronograph, Diamond-Set, Integrated Bracelet, Rose Gold 0

Audemars Piguet has updated the Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 38mm with a newly developed in-house movement, marking a significant technical evolution for the smaller chronograph within the collection. Previously powered by a long-standing ultra-thin chronograph caliber, the 38mm model now receives a modern, compact engine designed specifically to meet contemporary performance standards while preserving the watch’s slim profile.

A New Generation Chronograph Caliber: Caliber 6401

At the heart of the refreshed Royal Oak Chronograph 38mm is the new Caliber 6401. This automatic chronograph movement features a fully integrated construction, incorporating a column wheel and a vertical clutch for precise chronograph engagement. The movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and offers a power reserve of approximately 55 hours, representing a noticeable improvement over the outgoing caliber.

Audemars Piguet highlights a newly patented clutch system within Caliber 6401, designed with a simplified architecture that reduces the number of components while enhancing durability and chronograph pusher feel. The movement also includes an instantaneous date change at midnight. Unlike the larger Caliber 4401 used in the 41mm Royal Oak Chronograph, the Caliber 6401 does not feature flyback functionality—an intentional decision that helps maintain the 38mm case’s slim thickness of 11.1mm.

Updated Dial Layout and Caseback

The introduction of the new movement has also resulted in subtle but important dial layout refinements. The chronograph counters have been repositioned, with the 30-minute counter now located at 9 o’clock and the 12-hour counter at 3 o’clock. The date aperture remains positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock, though it is now more centrally aligned for improved visual balance.

For the first time, the Royal Oak Chronograph 38mm is fitted with a sapphire caseback, allowing a view of the Caliber 6401. While much of the chronograph mechanism remains concealed beneath the bridges, the column wheel is clearly visible, offering a glimpse into the movement’s technical construction.

Three New References

The updated Royal Oak Chronograph 38mm is introduced in three references. The stainless steel version features the brand’s signature blue “Grande Tapisserie” dial. Two additional models are crafted in 18k pink gold: one paired with a grey dial and silver-toned subdials, and another combining a sand-gold dial with beige subdials and a diamond-set bezel.

Pricing and Availability

Pricing is set at CHF 34,000 for the stainless steel model (ref. 26450ST.OO.1356ST.01). The pink gold version without diamonds (ref. 26450OR.OO.1356OR.01) is priced at CHF 66,900, while the diamond-set pink gold model (ref. 26450OR.ZZ.1356OR.01) is priced at CHF 72,400.

A Technical Step Forward for the 38mm Royal Oak Chronograph

With the introduction of the Caliber 6401, Audemars Piguet brings the Royal Oak Chronograph 38mm in line with the brand’s modern chronograph standards, combining updated mechanics, improved performance, and subtle design refinements in a more compact format.

Royal Oak Chronograph 38mm Receives Audemars Piguet’s New Caliber 6401