Executive Summary (TL;DR)
Bottom Line Up Front:
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26331 (Panda) is an icon. For years, replicas suffered from thick cases and broken movements. APS Factory has fixed this.
- The Movement: Powered by the updated Integrated 4801 Movement. It is thinner (12.5mm) and the chronograph functions actually work reliably.
- The Dial: The “Panda” white/black contrast is perfect. The silvery-white dial texture matches the genuine “Grande Tapisserie.”
- The Verdict: This APS Factory AP 26331 Panda Replica is currently the only chronograph worth buying in the AP lineup. Rated 9.6/10.
Watch Specifications Sheet
| Feature | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Factory | APS Factory (APS) – Latest Version |
| Model Name | Royal Oak Chronograph “Panda” |
| Reference Number | 26331ST.OO.1220ST.03 |
| Case Size | 41mm Diameter x 12.5mm Thickness |
| Case Material | 316L Stainless Steel (Brushed & Polished) |
| Movement | Custom 4801 Integrated Clone (Automatic Chronograph) |
| Dial | Silver-toned “Grande Tapisserie” with Black Subdials |
| Function | Hours, Minutes, Small Seconds, Date, Chronograph |
| Bracelet | Integrated Steel Bracelet with AP Folding Clasp |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM (Splash Proof) |
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: The “Panda” Craze
The “Panda” dial (White background, Black subdials) is the most sought-after configuration for the Royal Oak Chronograph. It is sporty, legible, and screams luxury.
For replica collectors, the 26331 has always been a headache. Older versions from JF or OMF were essentially “bricks”—too thick (15mm+) and prone to breaking because they used a modified 7750 movement with extra plates.
APS Factory has changed the game. By developing an integrated movement architecture (dubbed the 4801), they have slimmed down the case and improved reliability. The APS Factory AP 26331 Panda Replica is now the benchmark for all AP chronographs.
👉 🔗
(Check price and stock for the APS AP 26331 Panda Replica)
2. The Dial: Perfecting the “Panda” Look
This is the face of the watch. If the white is wrong, the watch is ruined.
The Silvery-White Tone
- The Difficulty: Genuine AP dials are not flat white; they are silver-white.
- APS Solution: APS uses a matte, grainy texture for the white parts. Under sunlight, it has a subtle metallic shimmer, just like the Gen. It does not look like cheap plastic white paint.
The “Grand Tapisserie” Pattern
The signature square pattern is cut sharply. The squares are raised, and the grooves between them are textured.
- The Subdials: The 26331 features distinctive “Big Eyes” (larger subdials at 3 and 9). APS nailed the proportions. The black subdials have a circular vinyl texture (CD pattern) and are framed by polished silver rings. This contrast is stunning on the APS Factory AP 26331 Panda Replica.
Night Vision: How Bright is the Panda?
The 26331 is a sports watch, so lume matters.
- The Material: APS uses Swiss Super-Luminova. The application on the APS Factory AP 26331 Panda Replica is neat and contained within the white gold markers.
- The Color: It glows a strong Green (matching the Gen). The duration is decent, readable after 4-5 hours in the dark.
- Comparison: Cheap replicas often have “spillover” lume where the paint goes outside the lines. APS is clean under macro.
3. The Movement: What is the 4801?
This is the biggest upgrade.
7750 vs. Integrated 4801
- Old Way: Take a thick 7750 movement, add a module on top to move the seconds hand to 6 o’clock. Result: Thick and unstable.
- APS Way: They rebuilt the movement plates to integrate the gear train. This allows the movement to be thinner.
- Functionality:
- Chronograph Works: The start, stop, and reset functions are crisp.
- 12-Hour Counter: Unlike older fakes where the 9 o’clock hand was frozen, the 12-hour counter on this APS Factory AP 26331 Panda Replica actually works! It moves as time passes.
Deep Dive: Is the 4801 a True Clone?
Let’s be honest about the movement inside the APS Factory AP 26331 Panda Replica.
- The Base: It is heavily modified from the Asian 7750 chronograph architecture.
- The Innovation: APS removed the “dummy plates” that made old versions thick. Instead, they machined the gears directly into the bridge plate to mimic the Calibre 2385 look.
- The Result: This reduces the thickness by nearly 2mm compared to old JF versions. While it’s not a 100% clone like the VS3235 (Rolex), it is the most advanced solution for AP chronographs today.
4. The Case & Thickness: The Reality Check
11mm vs 12.5mm
- Genuine: 11mm thick.
- APS Replica: 12.5mm thick.
- The Truth: Yes, it is still 1.5mm thicker than the genuine watch. However, 12.5mm is a massive improvement over the old 15mm versions. On the wrist, this difference is barely noticeable unless you put them side-by-side. It is currently the thinnest automatic AP Chrono replica available.
Finishing
APS inherited the case-making technology from ZF (legendary for finish). The vertical brushing on the bezel is perfectly parallel. The polished chamfers (edges) on the octagonal bezel reflect light like a diamond.
5. The Bracelet: The “Light Play”
The Royal Oak bracelet is famous for how it catches light.
- Flexibility: The APS bracelet is flexible and drapes around the wrist. It does not feel stiff or sharp.
- The Clasp: The double-deployant butterfly clasp clicks shut securely. The “AP” logo engraving is deep and precise.
Living with the Royal Oak Bracelet
The bracelet is beautiful, but can be tricky.
- Sizing: The links are held together by tiny screws. On the APS Factory AP 26331 Panda Replica, these screws are high quality but small. You need a 1.4mm screwdriver.
- Comfort Tip: If the bracelet feels a bit sharp on the edges (a common AP trait, even on Gen), a quick “Baby Oil Bath” will soften the feel and make the links articulate more smoothly.
- The “Stretch”: The APS bracelet has very little “stretch” or play, which is a sign of tight tolerances and good manufacturing.
👉 🔗
(Explore our full collection of APS Factory AP Replicas)
6. On The Wrist: Wearing the Icon
At 41mm, the 26331 is a modern sports watch size.
- Presence: The panda dial makes it pop. It is much more noticeable than a plain black dial.
- Style: It works with a t-shirt and jeans, or a casual suit. It is the ultimate “Weekend Watch.”
7. How to Protect Your Chronograph Movement
Mechanical chronographs are delicate. To keep your APS Factory AP 26331 Panda Replica running for years, follow these rules:
- Don’t Reset While Running: Always press STOP (Top Button) before pressing RESET (Bottom Button). Resetting while running will destroy the hammer cam.
- Don’t Run it 24/7: The chronograph is for timing events, not for decoration. Leaving it running drains the power reserve and wears out the gears.
- Screw Down the Pushers: The 26331 features screw-down pushers. You must unscrew them to use the buttons. Remember to screw them back in to ensure water resistance!
8. Pros & Cons
The Pros
- ✅ Stable Movement: The 4801 is far more reliable than previous chrono movements.
- ✅ Working Subdials: All chrono hands function correctly.
- ✅ Dial Texture: The silver-white Tapisserie is beautiful.
- ✅ Case Finish: Best-in-class brushing and polishing.
The Cons
- ❌ Thickness: Still 1.5mm thicker than Gen (unavoidable for now).
- ❌ Date Setting: Do not change the date between 9 PM and 3 AM to avoid damaging the gears.
9. Final Verdict
The APS Factory AP 26331 Panda Replica is a significant leap forward. It solves the reliability issues that plagued AP Chrono replicas for a decade.
While the thickness isn’t 100% perfect yet, the visual fidelity of the dial and the stunning case finishing make it a worthy purchase. It looks and feels like a $40,000 watch.
If you love the Panda look, this is the one to get.
Overall Rating: 9.6/10
It is a star performer in our list of Super Clone Watches.