Actor Naga Chaitanya Akkineni spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Naga Chaitanya Akkineni, one of Telugu cinema's most recognisable leading men, was recently spotted wearing the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph in stainless steel, reference 26320ST.OO.1220ST.01 — a piece that sits at a fascinating intersection of horological engineering and luxury sport-watch desirability.

The ref. 26320ST measures 41mm in stainless steel and pairs Gerald Genta's iconic octagonal case and integrated bracelet with the slate-grey 'Grande Tapisserie' dial, applied Royal Oak hour markers, and three contrasting subdials for the chronograph functions. At the heart of the watch beats Audemars Piguet's self-winding calibre 2385, an integrated column-wheel chronograph movement with a 40-hour power reserve, running at 21,600 vph. The integration of the chronograph mechanism directly into the base movement — rather than adding it as a module — is a technical distinction that separates this piece from the vast majority of chronographs at any price point.

The Royal Oak Chronograph's lineage traces back to 1997, when AP introduced the first integrated chronograph version of Genta's 1972 sport-luxury icon. The ref. 26320ST represents a mature evolution of that lineage, refining proportions and dial legibility while preserving the architectural identity that made the Royal Oak a collector cornerstone. Among enthusiasts, the steel Royal Oak Chronograph occupies a peculiar position: it is simultaneously a daily-wear sport watch and a serious complications piece, appreciated by collectors who understand what an integrated ebauche costs to produce.

Naga Chaitanya, son of Telugu superstar Nagarjuna, has cultivated a profile in Indian cinema that blends mainstream commercial appeal with credible dramatic work. His watch choice reflects a collector's sensibility — the Royal Oak Chronograph in steel is not the most visible or flashy AP in the catalogue, but it is arguably the most technically compelling in its segment.

The Royal Oak Chronograph ref. 26320ST.OO.1220ST.01 carried a last-known retail price of approximately $24,300, but stainless steel Royal Oak complications have become virtually impossible to acquire at list price. Grey-market valuations currently place this reference at approximately $50,000 — more than double retail — underscoring the sustained demand pressure on AP's steel sport watch lineup.