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 fresh design language that inspired countless other maisons. In fact, calling Genta a 'horological celebrity' is fitting considering the many celebrities who wear his creation, or have even created versions of their own. (Musicians John Mayer and Travis Scott are two of many who come to mind.)
This chronograph model, a Reference 26331ST.OO.1220ST.01, features a 41mm stainless steel case with the collection's signature octagonal bezel and exposed screws; 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 4:30 date window 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.
A cameo on the wrist of Donald Glover in the latest iteration of Mr. & Mrs. Smith proves just how versatile this Royal Oak Chronograph is. Indeed, whether you’re trying to elude a group of henchmen or you simply need a timepiece to complete a neck-breaking fit, this piece will not let you down.