Tennis player Aryna Sabalenka spotted wearing a Audemars Piguet

In early 2026, world-class tennis player Aryna Sabalenka was photographed at Gucci's New York flagship store during a recording session for "The Run-Through with Vogue." On her wrist sat the freshly launched Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26674CD in the brand's newly perfected "Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50" ceramic—a shade that honours Gérald Genta's original 1972 directive to Stern Frères for the Royal Oak's iconic dial hue. The watch's striking blue ceramic case and complex dial layout immediately signal its technical sophistication and collector-grade credentials.

The ref. 26674CD houses Audemars Piguet's newly introduced calibre 7138, an in-house automatic perpetual calendar movement that represents a significant engineering milestone for the manufacture. Debuted in 2025 to mark AP's 150th anniversary, cal. 7138 eliminates the need for traditional recessed correctors on the case band—a feature that had characterized previous perpetual calendar Royal Oaks. Instead, all calendrical functions—including the leap-year indicator, day, date, month, and moon phase—are now adjustable directly via the crown at different positions, both backward and forward. The movement operates at 28,800 vph and maintains the high finishing standards AP is known for, with Perlage, Cotes de Genève, and polished bevels throughout. Water resistance stands at 40 metres, typical for a complex annual calendar piece prioritizing case construction over diving capability.

The 41mm case is crafted from Audemars Piguet's proprietary ceramic formulation, a material innovation that took years to perfect. Unlike traditional stainless steel Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars, this ceramic variant offers enhanced scratch resistance and a cooler aesthetic that complements the deep Bleu Nuit dial. The dial itself features a black background with applied indices, chronograph sub-dials (day and month window at 12 o'clock, moon phase at 6 o'clock), and a central sweep seconds hand. The octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet remain signature Royal Oak design elements, finished in matching ceramic.

This reference marks a watershed moment for the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar line, which has traditionally been reserved for a select clientele given its technical complexity and price point. The integration of crown-adjustable functions simplifies the ownership experience—a perpetual calendar no longer demands a trip to an AP boutique for routine calendar corrections. The Bleu Nuit ceramic option adds exclusivity; AP produced this finish in strictly limited quantities as part of the 150th-anniversary celebration. Previous perpetual calendar references, such as the ref. 26574ST in steel or ref. 26574OR in rose gold, command four-figure premiums on the secondary market, and this ceramic edition is expected to follow suit.

Sabalenka's choice of the ref. 26674CD reflects both her status as a top-ranked professional athlete and her appreciation for horological innovation. The watch retails at approximately USD 285,000, positioning it firmly in the ultra-luxury segment where waitlists extend beyond two years at authorized dealers. On the grey market, examples have been quoted at USD 310,000–350,000 depending on condition and provenance. For collectors seeking a modern perpetual calendar with technical advancement and aesthetic refinement, the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar ref. 26674CD in Bleu Nuit ceramic stands as one of 2025's most consequential releases.