The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar reference 26574ST.OO.1220ST.02 is a 41mm luxury sports watch featuring a stainless steel case and an integrated stainless steel bracelet. It is characterized by its signature octagonal bezel with eight hexagonal screws and a Grande Tapisserie dial in a distinctive blue shade. The timepiece maintains a slim profile of approximately 9.5mm in thickness and is powered by the self-winding manufacture caliber 5134, which is an ultra-thin movement visible through a sapphire crystal caseback.
In terms of complications, this model houses a highly sophisticated perpetual calendar system. The dial displays the day, date, month, and leap year, and it is designed to automatically adjust for months of different lengths and leap years until the year 2100. Additionally, it features an astronomical moon phase indicator and a week of the year indicator displayed on the outer chapter ring. The watch operates at a frequency of 19,800 vibrations per hour and provides a power reserve of approximately 40 hours.
General reviews of the 26574ST highlight its exceptional craftsmanship and the successful integration of a complex high-horology movement into the iconic Royal Oak design. Collectors frequently praise the watch for its balanced proportions and its impressive wrist presence, often describing it as a pinnacle of the Royal Oak collection. While the watch is widely admired for its technical achievement and aesthetic appeal, common points of discussion include its significant market value and the 20-meter water resistance rating, which some critics find limited for a watch with a sports-inspired heritage.