Summary of Key Points about the Modified Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph (Model 26331ST “Black Panda”)
Based on the latest video transcript (focusing on the AP 26331ST Black Panda), here are the essential features of this top‑tier modified watch.
1. Model & Context
- Model: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26331ST – “Black Panda” (black dial with white sub‑dials)
- The original is a relatively thin watch – thickness is a critical factor
2. Key Challenges to Solve
- Thickness
- Movement functions
- Surface accessories (dial, hands, date)
- Brushing and polishing of case and strap
- Once solved, you won’t look fake or feel embarrassed when wearing
3. Dial, Hands & Date Wheel – Original Genuine
- This top‑modified configuration uses original genuine dial, hands, and date wheel
- Why use genuine accessories? Look at the magnified effect:
- Correct distance between tapisserie patterns
- Correct fonts
- Correct sunburst pattern
- As long as you don’t open the caseback and send to a professional lab, even watch industry friends may not tell the difference from the front
- The dial is the most eye‑catching part – upgrading with original accessories achieves the same front appearance as the genuine
4. Case & Strap Craftsmanship
- Brushing: Very delicate
- Polished surfaces: Well handled, including chamfering and polishing
- Screws: Every screw is slightly recessed – a detail achieved through proper finishing
- Strap brushing and polished surfaces – very well handled
- With this level of craftsmanship, you won’t feel embarrassed
5. Movement – Original Genuine 1185
- Must choose an original genuine AP 1185 movement for the upgrade
- Why? Only with this movement can you achieve the correct thickness and all chronograph functions
- Chronograph functions:
- 6 o’clock – running seconds hand
- 3 o’clock – chronograph minute counter
- Large central hand – chronograph seconds hand
- Operation: Top pusher starts, top pusher again pauses, bottom pusher resets
6. Solid Caseback Advantage
- The AP 26331ST is one of the few Royal Oak models with a solid caseback (three‑dimensional relief on the back – you cannot see the movement)
- Unlike most AP watches with sapphire casebacks, this one is closed
- Highly recommended to play with this model because: when you can’t see the movement, flaws are fewer – you only need to judge from the front, thickness, and functions
7. Selection Advice
- Choose according to your budget and needs
8. Key Quality Checklist for AP 26331ST Black Panda
| Component | What to Look For |
|---|---|
| Dial/hands/date | Original genuine – correct tapisserie spacing, fonts, sunburst |
| Case/strap finishing | Delicate brushing, polished surfaces, chamfering, screws slightly recessed |
| Movement | Original genuine 1185 – correct thickness, full chronograph functions |
| Caseback | Solid (closed) – no movement visible, fewer tells |
| Thickness | Matches genuine (thin) |
| Chronograph | Start, pause, reset – works |
Concluding Comment
This video covers the Audemars Piguet 26331ST Black Panda – a Royal Oak Chronograph with a solid caseback, which is unusual for AP (most have sapphire exhibition casebacks). The modified version uses original genuine dial, hands, and date wheel to ensure perfect front‑face authenticity (tapisserie spacing, fonts, sunburst). The case and strap finishing (brushing, polishing, chamfering, slightly recessed screws) are executed to a high standard. The original genuine AP 1185 movement is essential to achieve the correct thin thickness and fully functional chronograph (start, stop, reset). Because the caseback is solid, the movement is not visible, eliminating that tell. The only remaining checks are the front appearance, thickness, and chronograph operation.
Strengths:
- Original genuine dial, hands, date – front face is virtually indistinguishable from genuine.
- Solid caseback advantage – movement is hidden, so no movement‑related tells.
- Original genuine 1185 movement – ensures correct thickness (thin) and reliable chronograph function.
- High‑quality case/strap finishing – delicate brushing, polished edges, recessed screws.
- Highly recommended – for this specific model (solid caseback), the flaws are minimal.
Final verdict: The modified AP 26331ST Black Panda is an excellent choice for collectors who want a high‑end Royal Oak Chronograph with the solid caseback advantage. Because the movement is not visible, using an original genuine 1185 movement (for correct thickness and function) plus original genuine dial/hands/date solves virtually all tells. The watch will pass casual and even close front‑face inspection. For those with the budget to source original parts, this is one of the most convincing AP modifications available. Bozwatch’s emphasis on thickness, solid caseback, original front parts, and recessed screws provides a solid checklist. This is the “spend less, get a near‑perfect closed‑caseback AP” proposition. As always, independent verification of the movement and parts is recommended.
Hello everyone, this is Bozwatch Reviews.
Every watch is a work of art, a testament to time, and I am a fanatic who is obsessed with them. I also hope to help watch enthusiasts avoid pitfalls and find my own “Bole” (discerning patron).
Later, fans sent me private messages wanting to know about the modification plan for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 26331ST Panda – how to play with it.
In fact, for a watch like the 26331ST, because the original is a relatively thin watch (see?), when playing with this style, you must solve the issues of thickness, movement functions, surface accessories, and the brushing and polishing treatment of the case and strap. Once you solve these problems, you won’t look fake when wearing it, and you won’t feel embarrassed.
This AP 26331ST Black Panda is a top‑modified configuration. Its dial, hands, and date wheel are all original genuine dial, hands, and accessories.
Why use genuine accessories to assemble it? Let’s look at the magnified effect of genuine accessories, and you’ll understand. With original accessories, whether it’s the distance between the tapisserie patterns, the fonts, or the sunburst pattern – as long as you don’t open the caseback and send it to a professional lab for authentication, even if you have friends in the watch industry, they may not be able to tell the difference from the front. Because when you play with a watch, the dial is the most eye‑catching part. Upgrading with original accessories achieves the same front appearance as the genuine.
Now look at the case and strap. Our case has very delicate brushing, and the polished surfaces are well handled – including the chamfering and polishing. Every screw is slightly recessed. See? That’s a detail achieved through proper finishing. The strap’s brushing and polished surfaces are also very well handled. With this level of craftsmanship, you won’t feel embarrassed.
When choosing this watch, we must select an original genuine 1185 movement for the upgrade. Why use an original 1185? Because only with that movement can you achieve the correct thickness (see?) and all its chronograph functions.
- 6 o’clock – running seconds hand
- 3 o’clock – chronograph minute counter
- The large central hand is the chronograph seconds hand
Let me demonstrate: press the top pusher – timing starts. Press the top pusher again – pause. Press the bottom pusher – reset. That’s the chronograph function.
The AP 26331ST is also one of the few Royal Oak models with a solid caseback (it has a three‑dimensional relief on the back – you can’t see the movement). Unlike most AP watches that have sapphire casebacks, this one is closed. So for this watch, I highly recommend playing with it. Because when you can’t see the movement, the flaws are fewer – you only need to judge from the front, its thickness, and its functions.
This is a simple watch sharing of the AP 26331ST Black Panda. When choosing this watch, you can also decide according to your budget and needs.
That’s all for today’s watch sharing. If you like Bozwatch’s videos, don’t forget to double‑tap like and follow. See you next time.
