Description

After a dramatic few months of teasing, during the 2019 SIHH, Audemars Piguet dropped an entirely new family of watches called the Code 11.59. Five years of designing and development resulting into a revolutionary model, nothing like anything that AP had done before.

But as with every new development, there are mixed emotions. For a brand that is part of the ‘Holy Trinity’ of watchmaking, the expectations were very high. Or should we say, different. The contemporary design of the Code 11.59 was so new and fresh, it didn’t go down well with a part of the audience, and quite understandably so. It is difficult to accept something so bold and modern, from a brand that is so deeply rooted in history and tradition.

But one thing was certain. It was a window into AP’s future and how its clientele is evolving. In terms of the aesthetic, the 41mm case has a three-piece construction, with the center segment having the signature AP octagonal design, but in a very subtle way.
The lugs are detached from the case on the underside, while being soldered to the bezel, which holds the domed sapphire crystal, curved on two different radiuses.

At the time of the launch, this new collection featured three all-new calibers, with 13 new references across 6 contemporary models including a basic time and date and a chronograph (with lacquer dials), a flying tourbillon and a Supersonnerie (with enamel dials) and a perpetual calendar with an aventurine dial.

The present reference 26396BC.OO.D321CR.01 is part of the ever evolving collection within the Code 11:59 family.
We must admit the smoked blue “Grand Feu” enamel dial looks incredibly gorgeous, with the expanse of the beautiful blue with the Audemars Piguet logo under 12 o’clock, An 18K white gold flying tourbillon located at 6 o’clock and applied hour markers in white gold, contrasting stunningly against the dial. The inner bezel is in black lacquer and displays the minutes markers. All of this is housed in an 18K white gold case measuring 41mm in diameter and 11.8mm thick. The case is water resistant to 30 meters.

On the inside is the self-winding AP Caliber 2950 powering the flying tourbillon, hours and minutes, offering a 65hr power reserve.

This attractive timepiece is offered on hand-stitched “large square scale” blue alligator strap with 18-carat white gold folding clasp.

Audemars Piguet – bio

Audemars Piguet is a Swiss manufacturer of mechanical watches founded in 1875. They began in the Vallée de Joux. Jules Louis Audemars formed a partnership with Edward Auguste Piguet. Audemars created complicated blank watch movements for other manufactures to use. Piguet specialized in the final regulation of watches. They then split responsibilities when they began their own company. Audemars was in charge of production and technical aspects while Piguet focused on sales and management. One of their first achievements was creating the first repeater wristwatch in 1892 and in 1972 the iconic steel “Royal Oak”.