The Best Calendar Watches of 2025

Perpetual calendar watches are extraordinary mechanisms capable of compressing the idiosyncrasies of our Gregorian calendar, tricky leap years included, into a remarkably small area. Luckily, calendar watches of all denominations have been well represented this year, and we’ve put together a list of six watches that made an impression. Ranging from an unusual yet super-legible regulator display to a deceptively simple yet intriguingly complex day and date monthly planner, or from a genuinely affordable QP to a wonderful recreation of a bi-retrograde QP, there are plenty of calendar watches to mull over this holiday season.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar 7138

Audemars Piguet is no stranger to the perpetual calendar, having released the first QP wristwatch with a leap-year indication back in 1955. In time for its 150^th anniversary, AP unveiled the RO QP powered by the new calibre 7138, a technical marvel that replaces the discontinued calibre 5134. Dispensing with fiddly pushers in the caseband that compromise water-resistance and require a tool, everything is controlled via the patented crown with four positions and a no-correction zone to avoid potential damage. Packed with user-friendly devices and a slim profile of just 4.1mm, the calibre is based on the 7121 of the RO Jumbo and incorporates technology from the RD#2, with all the QP functions aligned on a single layer. Presented in a 41mm case with a slim height of 9.5mm and a slightly higher 50m water-resistance rating, the Royal Oak solid sand gold edition is a knockout.

For a more extensive explanation of the technical marvels of this watch, don’t miss this in-depth article.

Berneron Quantième Annuel

Unlike any annual calendar you’ve encountered, indie watchmaker Sylvain Berneron’s Quantième Annuel enhances legibility with a symmetrical “double regulator” display. Time is arranged on a vertical axis with a large window at noon for the jumping hours, followed by central minutes, and small seconds, while the calendar indications, with jumping days of the week and months in rectangular apertures flanking the round retrograde pointer date, are displayed horizontally. Housed in a compact 38mm x 10mm case made of 85% platinum with a steel protective layer, the hunter caseback reveals the solid gold, highly symmetrical, and beautifully finished proprietary manual-winding movement with a copious 100-hour power reserve on two barrels (impressive given the 4 jumping indications). A handsome creature with impeccable legibility, the only thing it has in common with “regular” annual calendars is that it requires one correction per year, on 28 February.

We have more detailed information on Berneron’s annual calendar here.

Chopard L.U.C Lunar One

Moonstruck might be one way to describe the impression produced by the L.U.C Lunar One perpetual calendar and its precision orbital moon phase display. Revisited after 20 years, Chopard‘s 2025 edition comes in a more compact 40.5mm basin-shaped 18k white or rose gold case (ethical gold, of course) with a more legible dial and a practical quick-release strap system. With a big date at noon displayed in two separate windows and the calendar functions at 9 and 3 o’clock, the largest sub-dial for the small seconds hosts the moon phase display, which only needs correction once every 122 years. Powered by the L.U.C 96.13L chronometer-certified micro-rotor calibre, the rotor is decorated with guilloché, and the two mainspring barrels ensure the 65-hour power reserve. Beautiful views on both sides, the watch is distinguished by the Poinçon de Genève hallmark.

For more information on the wonderful Chopard L.U.C Lunar One, kindly click here.

Frederique Constant classic perpetual calendar

Released in 2016 with a price tag of EUR 8,000, Frederique Constant’s Perpetual Calendar Manufacture blew the socks off its competitors as the most affordable QP on the market. Returning this year in a more compact 40mm polished steel case, the QP is powered by FC’s 34^th in-house movement – calibre FC-766 – with an increased power reserve of 72 hours. The delectable sunray-brushed, salmon-coloured dial features slim applied indices and calendar indications in the upper half. Once again, FC delivers on its promise of “affordable luxury,” offering a competent, attractive QP for just under EUR 10,000.

For more details, please consult our article here.

Krayon anyday

Another reputed indie brand founded by Rémi Maillat, Krayon gives complications an ingenious, often unexpected twist. Described as a “mechanical agenda”, Krayon’s 39mm white gold Anyday belies its complexity. At first glance, it could be mistaken for a straightforward pointer date with a 1-31 date scale on the perimeter, indicated by a crescent-shaped pointer, with time displayed conventionally with central hour and minute hands. However, suppose you want to know which day of the week the 10th falls on? Well, Anyday has the answer. The days of the week are displayed in navy blue, while Saturdays and Sundays are transparent. Sounds simple, but the mechanics are decidedly complex. A captivating model inside and out, you can baffle admirers with this never-before-seen complication.

To fully understand the complexity built into this watch, don’t miss Xavier’s article here.

Roger Dubuis Hommage La Placide Perpetual Calendar

Roger Dubuis is currently known for its “hyper horology”, flamboyant, muscular timepieces incarnated by the Excalibur collection that often overshadow an older facet of the brand and the impeccable complications developed by the late Monsieur Roger Dubuis. His bi-retrograde perpetual calendar module, developed in 1989 with Jean-Marc Wiederrecht for Harry Winston, reappeared this year out of the blue as the Hommage La Placide QP. Honouring the watchmaker’s roots and the brand’s 30^th anniversary, the restrained proportions – 38mm x 11mm – and character of the watch, inspired by his early Hommage models, have been much praised. With sweeping retrograde indications for the day of the week and date, the dial has a deep blue lacquered background, mother-of-pearl counters and an aventurine moon phase with yellow gold moons. The RD72 perpetual calendar module of 1999 is paired with the brand’s in-house automatic RD14 calibre. A limited edition of just 28 pieces, this is a rare (and expensive) treat for collectors.

To understand the genesis of this watch, please consult Brice’s article here.