For almost 50 years, the Royal Oak watches have become more than just iconic. They have transformed into an entire collection built around the iconic design and showcasing much of Audemars Piguet's watchmaking expertise. One of the most symbolic complications of AP is undoubtedly the perpetual calendar. The RO watches have long been equipped with this complex calendar function, and numerous versions have been created. Today, the brand adds a new color to its collection - new shades of blue that pay homage to the original color used in the 1972 watches. Meet the new blue versions of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar.
First released in the mid-1980s under the index 5554, initially in models without a leap year and then with a leap year indicator, the first-generation Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 39mm remained virtually unchanged for almost 30 years, as it was discontinued only in 2014. But this was done merely to make way for a new version, which would be introduced in 2015, with a new display, a sportier 41mm case, a more modern look, and the addition of a week indicator.
These watches are a beautiful embodiment of everything AP represents. First, and obviously, it is the Royal Oak with the iconic design introduced in 1972. Secondly, they are equipped with perhaps the brand's most iconic complication - the perpetual calendar.
Finally, despite the complications, the watch remains quite thin, and we know that Audemars Piguet excels in this area. The 41mm case, only 9.5mm high, echoes the RO collection's design: a sharp central case, matte and polished edges, the signature octagonal bezel with 8 screws. It is, as you might imagine, attached to the equally iconic integrated bracelet with a folding clasp.
The main novelty this year for the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar is the new dial, more precisely, a dial with new shades of blue... shades that are not actually new. Indeed, the sub-dials and inner bezel of the Grande Tapisserie dial are made in the iconic blue shade of the original 1972 Royal Oak model, referred to in the brand's archives as “Night Blue, Cloud 50”. The rest of the engine-turned square-patterned dial has a slightly lighter overall blue color, bringing more contrast and play of light.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 41mm steel new shade of blue 2021 - 26574ST.OO.1220ST.03 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 41mm pink gold new shade of blue 2021 - 26574OR.OO.1220OR.03
This new dial is presented in two editions of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar - in stainless steel or 18-carat pink gold. Another distinction between these two watches is the hour markers and hands, which are made of either white or pink gold, depending on the edition. The dial hosts numerous indicators, most of which are classic for QP - hours/minutes and 4 additional sub-dials for date, day of the week, month, leap year, and moon phase, as well as the rarer indicator - the current week, displayed on the inner ring and indicated by a central hand.
Inside the case is the proprietary caliber 5134, created based on the famous ultra-thin caliber 2121. The height of this perpetual calendar movement is only 4.3mm. It operates at an unusual frequency of 2.75 Hz, is also automatic with a central rotor, and has a small power reserve of 40 hours. Through the case back, the beautiful finish of the movement is visible: an openworked 22-carat gold rotor, Geneva stripes, circular graining, circular satin finishing, and polished chamfers.
Availability and Price
The new blue editions of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar (ref. 26574ST.OO.1220ST.03 in steel and ref. 26574OR.OO.1220OR.03 in pink gold) are released as part of the permanent collection and are therefore not limited. The steel model will cost 78,900 euros, and the pink gold model - 115,300 euros.
More information can be found on the website www.audemarspiguet.com.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - AUDEMARS PIGUET ROYAL OAK PERPETUAL CALENDAR
Case: diameter 41mm x height 9.5mm - stainless steel or 18-carat pink gold, matte with polished accents - front and back sapphire crystals with anti-reflective coating - water-resistant to 20m
Dial: blue dial with “Grande Tapisserie” pattern, sub-dials and inner bezel in “Night Blue, Cloud 50” shades - applied Royal Oak hour markers and hands with luminescent coating, in white or pink gold, depending on the model
Movement: Caliber 5134, in-house made - automatic with central rotor - 29mm x 4.3mm - 38 jewels - 374 components - frequency 2.75 Hz (19,800 vibrations/hour) - power reserve 40h - hours, minutes, perpetual calendar with date, day of the week, month, leap year, week number, moon phase
Bracelet: Royal Oak bracelet, matte with polished accents, with folding AP clasp, in steel or 18-carat pink gold
Reference: 26574ST.OO.1220ST.03 steel, 26574OR.OO.1220OR.03 pink gold
Price: 78,900 euros steel, 115,300 euros pink gold