Television presenter Ellen spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

Ellen DeGeneres has long demonstrated that her watch collection goes well beyond celebrity accessorizing, and this latest sighting of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar reference 26574ST.OO.1220ST.02 confirms she plays firmly in the serious collector bracket. The stainless steel integrated-bracelet perpetual calendar is, by any measure, one of the most intellectually satisfying watches AP produces at this price point.

The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574ST is built around the calibre 2120/2808, an automatic movement measuring a remarkable 2.45mm in height for the base movement alone — a technical achievement that has defined AP's perpetual calendar lineup for decades. Running at 19,800 vph, it delivers a 40-hour power reserve and displays day, date, month, moon phase, and leap year through AP's signature integrated dial architecture. The 41mm stainless steel case pairs with the iconic "Grande Tapisserie" dial and a brushed-and-polished integrated steel bracelet — reference 1220ST — which gives the watch its distinctly cohesive, architecturally unified appearance first conceived by Gérald Genta in 1972.

From a collector's perspective, the perpetual calendar variant occupies a compelling position within the Royal Oak family. It delivers complication depth rarely found in a sports watch context, and the steel configuration — as opposed to gold or two-tone references — keeps it grounded and wearable. Collectors prize the ref. 26574ST for exactly this reason: it is a dress complication in a case you can actually live with daily. The perpetual mechanism requires no correction until the year 2100, adding a layer of mechanical romance that quartz-accurate owners rarely appreciate until they examine the movement.

Ellen DeGeneres is no accidental watch wearer. The television presenter and comedian has been spotted across numerous AP and Patek Philippe references over the years, suggesting a curated collection built on genuine horological interest rather than styling department choices. The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar fits her established taste profile precisely — understated in colour, significant in substance.

On the market, the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26574ST carries a substantial retail premium and commands equally strong grey-market demand. Steel Royal Oak complications consistently outperform their list prices in secondary trading, and the perpetual calendar is no exception. Buyers seeking this reference should expect to pay meaningfully above retail in the current environment.