The bezel exploded again! APS Factory is back with its “King’s Upgraded Model” – Royal Oak 26240 all-black ceramic V2 version! Last year it was a hit when it was first launched. This year’s V2 version has directly completed the two core configurations of “slip-free movement” and “flyback chronograph”. The details have been polished and the quality has soared. If you are a mechanical watch enthusiast, or are pursuing the ultimate restoration that “can’t tell it’s a replica at a glance”, you really can’t miss this in-depth test!
Let’s start with the key points: this is not an ordinary chronograph movement, it is an all-in-one machine based on the original 4401 mold. It is not a “set machine” or a “modified machine”. It restores the essence of Audemars Piguet from the bottom up. The biggest upgrade of V2 is that the movement is completely smooth! What’s the meaning? Old players all know: in the past, when the bottom of the watch was turned over, the two “speed and slow needles” were ironclad evidence of flaws. Now? It’s clean, there is no unnecessary structure under the shock absorber, the chamfering is sharp and stylish, the board layout is restored, and even the engraving is meticulous – this is the dignity that a “toy watch” should have!
Let’s talk about the magical function of “flyback timing”. Ordinary timepieces need to “start → pause → reset to zero → restart”, which is cumbersome and interrupts the rhythm. With this APS movement, you can directly press the lower button during timing, and the second hand will fly back to zero with a “swish” and restart seamlessly – racing drivers, fitness enthusiasts, and multi-tasking experts are ecstatic! Daily use? It still supports traditional three-stage operation, with both stability and practicality online. The daily difference is measured within ±5 seconds, which is a good level for a workhorse watch.
Appearance? It also takes the “Dark Warrior” aesthetic to the extreme. 41mm diameter + 12.2mm thickness, size 1:1 replica. The all-ceramic watch case is matte black and is scratch-resistant and wear-resistant. It will still look like new after being worn for several years. The dial has a “biscuit” plaid pattern + radial pattern + three CD-patterned small plates, giving it a full sense of layering. The luminous light is uniform and full, the date window font is bold and easy to read, and the concentricity of the central axis of the pointer is excellent – you can’t find any faults even under a magnifying glass.
The V2 strap part has also been optimized, with fine brushing that won’t cut your hands, three-dimensional engraving on the inside of the folding buckle, and a ceramic handle that feels cool and smooth to the touch. The entire watch fits snugly around the wrist, with reasonable weight distribution, giving it a sense of presence without weighing down the wrist. The black is so high-end, the black is eye-catching, and the black is so black that you want to wear it every day!
To sum up: APS is not just a minor repair this time, it has solved all the “player pain points” – no lag to avoid pitfalls, practical flyback timing, durable ceramics, and unparalleled details. The price is less than a fraction of the original product, but you can enjoy more than 95% of the original experience. Mechanical watch enthusiasts, Audemars Piguet fans, and black watch lovers, just rush in with your eyes closed!