Released in 1972 and designed by Gerald Genta, watchmaking's most famous designer, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was the first stainless steel luxury sports watch ever to exist. Released as a tactic to survive the quartz crisis, the Royal Oak can single-handedly be thanked for AP's existence today due to its astounding success, albeit it wasn't an overnight hit. Its sizeable tonneau-shaped case, signature integrated bracelet, octagonal bezel, exposed screws, and steel construction failed to win over collectors until a few years later. Today, the Royal Oak is one of the most highly-coveted timepieces in all horology as its previously dismissed design details have permeated across the industry and into watches like the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Vacheron Constantin Overseas, Rolex Oysterquartz, amongst many other legendary timepieces.

In 1983, the Royal Oak was moved into the realm of true high horology and the first Perpetual Calendar version of the Royal Oak was released – the ref. 5554. The world’s thinnest model of its kind and equipped to account for all of the calendar's permutations and variations for 117 years until 2100, it was a mechanical marvel. From there on, several perpetual calendar Royal Oak variants were launched, one of which we have here, the ref. 25820. Released in 1998, and retaining the Royal Oak Jumbo’s 39mm stainless steel construction, the ref. 25820ST made for a familiar presence on the wrist of Royal Oak collectors. However, its complicated automatic cal. 2120/2800 made sure that it was clearly not a normal Royal Oak. The first Royal Oak to feature a leap year indicator, its quartet of subdials ensured that this Quantieme Perpetual was a remarkable feat of horological engineering. Offered with a host of different possible dial configurations, the example we have here boasts a stunning silver dial with the Royal Oak’s signature Grande Tapisserie engraving that adds another layer of depth to its stunning monochromatic display that perfectly suits its stainless steel construction.

Watch is in excellent overall condition. Case exhibits a few minor scratches, but has sharp edges and crisp lugs. Dial in excellent condition, with light signs of aging around some of the applied indexes. Bracelet comes with 20 links, 2 of which are removable. There is light stretch.