This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Quantième Annuel 25920ST* is an unusual combination of the iconic Royal Oak design and a seldom seen complication. Believed to have been produced for only a handful of years, the Quantième Annuel 25920 remains the one and only annual calendar reference in the brand’s history.

In 1996, Patek Philippe released the world’s first annual calendar wristwatch. It was developed to show relevant information about the day, whilst also providing a more accessible price point for such a complication when compared with the brand’s perpetual calendars. An annual calendar only requires adjustment once a year in February, as it accounts for the long and short months throughout the year.

Not far behind, saw the potential of such a useful complication and started developing their own annual calendar movement. It is understood that the Quantième Annuel 25920 was briefly produced from 1999 to the early 2000s, remaining the only annual calendar Audemars Piguet ever made. The brand made the choice to house the newly designed complication within their , which was popular with customers at the time. Only produced in stainless steel and yellow gold, this stainless steel example is perhaps the more versatile configuration, attuned to modern taste.

Initially designed as a luxury steel watch, the Royal Oak has since gone through many iterations, with this piece remaining close to its roots with a stainless-steel case and dark-grey dial. If we examine the dial more closely, we see that it possesses a combination of modern and traditional, with the customary tapisserie pattern on the centre of the dial but with rounded, index markers instead of the usual stick index markers. Meanwhile, red accents draw the wearer’s eye and break up the monochromatic colour scheme, creating a striking appearance.

Despite this being a mid-size example, it wears larger on the wrist than its dimensions otherwise suggest, and hugs the wrist in a way that might surprise the wearer, considering the complication it houses. Overall, the watch is an excellent addition to the collection of someone looking for an unusual yet practical version of the beloved Royal Oak.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Audemars Piguet Royal Royal Oak 25920ST will be subject to 20% VAT.

Closer look

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Ref. 25920 is in very good condition overall. Superficial marks can be found on the bezel, case, and bracelet (most notably on the right-hand side of the top lug, lower lug and bracelet) consistent with minimal wear over time. The bracelet shows very little stretch with the engravings on the caseback and clasp remaining crisp and well defined.

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.