Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day-Date, 26330ST, Stainless Steel

Produced for a relatively brief period, the Audemars Piguet Day Date 26330ST nevertheless remains the only ‘Jumbo’-sized reference to have featured this specific practical calendar complication. The 39mm stainless steel case references the original, the reference 5402. While it is similar in diameter, the reference 26330’s case is positively more modern in its proportions.

The play between brushed and high polished surfaces, be that on the case or the bracelet, gives this piece that characteristic jewel-like quality that enthusiasts have come to associate with stainless steel Royal Oaks. The dial, with its texture-rich tapisserie pattern features two well-proportioned subsidiary registers at 3 and 9 o’clock positions, giving the watch its signature ‘owl’ appearance. The recessed, steel-rimmed registers house the day and date complications. They wear a warm, off-white chapter with the days of the week and the date. The date subsidiary second has an additional pop of colour in the form of a red ‘31’. Further in from the chapters, the centre of the subsidiary registers is black, with circular graining, and they feature stick indicators.   

The day and date can be set using the screwed down crown and the watch does not have any additional correctors, giving it a clean appearance. Moving the hands just past the 9.45pm position and then just past the midnight position engages the date function, causing it to move forward by one. It is then a matter of repeating this action till you get to the right date. For the day function, it is a similar process – moving the hands to just before the 10.55pm position and then advancing them past 1.30am engages the day complication.

Other dial furniture includes applied hour markers, replicating the form of the baton-style hands, filled with Superluminova. The applied brand ‘AP’ logo is at 12 o’clock while the bottom half of the dial wears printed ‘Automatic’ and ‘Swiss Made’ marks.

The reference 26330 is powered by the self-winding calibre 2325/2810. This automatic calibre features 31 working jewels and beats at a frequency of 28,800 VpH, while delivering 40 hours of power reserve. 

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day-Date will be subject to 20% VAT

Closer look

Condition

This Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day-Date is in very good condition throughout. The case, bezel and lugs overall show light superficial marks from relative wear over time, strong case proportions and finishing. There are grazes to the bezel at the 12 and 3 o'clock positions and light grazes and scratches to bracelet. The engravings on the caseback are crisp and well defined.

Warranty

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