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Pilot Lando Norris spotted wearing Audemars Piguet

Lando Norris continues to prove that his eye for precision extends well beyond the cockpit. The McLaren F1 driver was recently spotted wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph 50th Anniversary in stainless steel, reference 26240ST — one of the most coveted modern sports watch releases of the past decade and a piece that has become a benchmark for contemporary collector culture.

Launched in 2022 to celebrate the Royal Oak's half-century, the 26240ST represents a genuine technical milestone for Audemars Piguet. The watch replaces the long-serving Calibre 2385 — a movement that served the Royal Oak Chronograph for over two decades — with the entirely in-house Calibre 4401. This new flyback chronograph movement operates at 4Hz, offers a 70-hour power reserve, and features a column wheel and vertical clutch, bringing the Royal Oak Chronograph's movement credentials fully in line with contemporary manufacture standards. The 41mm stainless steel case retains Gerald Genta's iconic integrated bracelet architecture, while the Bleu Nuit Grand Tapisserie dial deepens and modernises the blueprint with a rich midnight-blue texture that shifts dramatically under light.

From a collector standpoint, the 26240ST occupies rare territory. Audemars Piguet produced the 50th Anniversary references in deliberately limited allocations, distributed exclusively through authorised dealers to vetted clients. The combination of the updated movement, anniversary provenance, and the enduring desirability of the stainless Royal Oak formula means the reference has never traded at retail on the secondary market — it went straight to a significant premium and has remained there.

Norris, 24, is among the most watch-literate figures in contemporary motorsport. He has been spotted across a range of serious references over the years, and the 26240ST signals a collector with both access and genuine knowledge — this is not a watch you acquire casually.

At a list price of approximately $33,800, the Royal Oak Chronograph 50th Anniversary Ref. 26240ST is nearly impossible to source through official channels. Current grey-market valuations sit firmly around $120,000 — a premium that reflects persistent demand and constrained supply showing no signs of easing.