On the watch model depicted here, the hands are made of the same polished rose gold as the numerals and hour markers, as is the Audemars Piguet logo at the 12 o’clock position. The topography of the dial is something for which Audemars Piguet is famous. Their logo, for example, uses a chemical process known as galvanic growth which uses many thin layers of gold to achieve what appears to be similar to a 3-D printed logo in solid gold. The dial is covered by a unique double glare-proofed curved sapphire crystal that allows for enhanced visibility and clarity. It is arched with a specific profile shape to create a unique optical experience that combines, perspective, depth, and light.
The model featured here has a unique two-tone sandwich construction and design that combines 18kt white gold and 18kt rose gold. The case combines brushed and polished finishing on the outer and inner layers of the sandwich case. A polished and chamfered edge of the dial, brushed reverse side, curved lugs, and sides. What makes CODE 11.59 unique is the combinations of different geometric shapes together in its construction. The outer white gold layer has a round shape while the inner pink gold layer has a polygonal shape reminiscent of the case of AP’s famous and iconic Royal Oak watches. The diameter is 41mm, the thickness is 10.7mm and it has a water resistance rating of 30m/100ft. A polished and brushed winding crown can be found on the right side of the case and it is notched to allow for an enhanced grip with the AP logo engraved on the flat brushed edge of the crown.
A polished finish is used on the bevel around the chamfered edge of the case back and the screw holes on the caseback which has a flat profile with a brushed finish. The edge of the clear case back is decorated with numerous inscriptions that include an engraving of the CODE 11.59 logo, the words “by Audemars Piguet”, the serial number, and a few additional smaller symbols.
The self-winding Audemars Piguet Calibre 4302 that powers this watch is a self-winding movement with a 22-carat gold oscillating weighted winding rotor. The 32-jewel movement has 257 components has a frequency of 4Hz or 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides an impressive power reserve of 70 hours on a full wind. The 4302 also features an instantaneous jumping date.

The movement is beautifully finished starting with the intricately decorated, embossed, and engraved rose gold rotor. The other visible plates that appear through the transparent sapphire case back use Geneva striping with a polished beveled edge. Certain inscriptions and engravings can be found in rose gold on the AP 4302 movement including the logo, the words ‘Swiss Made’, the number of jewels.
The luxurious leather strap uses large square scale alligator leather which is stitched by hand. The strap is fastened to the watch with a brushed 18kt white gold pin buckle.
The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding watch collection is filled with great promise for the future. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Automatic 41mm watch featured in this article uses a new movement, one of the 6 next-generation AP movements in fact. In this new family of watches, you will find time-only calibers as well as more complex mechanical marvels. These include high complications with the Calibre 2948 that has an openworked flying tourbillon, the Calibre 5134 which features a perpetual calendar that automatically adjusts for shorter months and adds a day to the month of February every time that it’s a leap year, and last but not least, the Calibre 2953 which features a minute repeater Supersonnerie that chimes louder when it’s on the wrist rather than off the wrist.

Is this model the best of all the models that we’ve seen this year? That’s hard to say. There have been many nice limited edition watches that may come before this one. However, for the price, the available features, and the design, it’s certainly a great watch from one of the most prestigious brands and it will certainly show your great taste in watchmakers and watch syle.

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For many admirers of this high-end brand, attention is invariably directed towards the company’s models produced from 1972 onwards. The legendary ‘Royal Oak’ was initially a self-winding steel watch, displaying hours, minutes, seconds and the date. Over the years it has gone on to encompass noble metals and complications, however, the allure of the original continues to shine bright.

In 1993, buoyed by the success of Gérald Genta’s masterful design of 1972, the Swiss firm unveiled the generously proportioned ‘Royal Oak Offshore’. Measuring 42mm in diameter, its scale seemed vast when contrasted with competing watches of the period. Over the years which ensued, the public’s appetite for oversized watches grew exponentially and AP pandered to this horological fetish with several fulsome figured models, including the famous 48mm T3.
A few years ago, I remember chatting to Octavio Garcia, who at the time was the Chief Artistic Officer for Audemars Piguet. I pointed out that the company’s name was invariably associated with the Royal Oak and the Royal Oak Offshore to the exclusion of the brand’s other models. Moreover, AP had been trading nearly 100 years prior to the launch of the Royal Oak and its back catalogue included numerous watches, employing a variety of different shapes and yet, it seemed the watch buying public were unaware of this impressive legacy. My perception at the time was that the prominence of the names ‘Royal Oak’ and ‘Royal Oak Offshore’ had surpassed the awareness of the Maison’s name. However, I remember leaving Octavio feeling that his hands were tied, that with two iconic models on its hands, AP was reticent to explore non-octagonal designs.
Earlier this year, at SIHH 2019, Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding unveiled its Code 11:59 collection. The reaction to the model could only be described as ‘hostile’. Personally, during SIHH I took the opportunity to examine the Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon to see what all the fuss was about and, to be honest, I loved it. The watch was festooned with smile-inducing details and represented a brave departure from the aforementioned Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore. I was left feeling a tad perplexed as to why this watch had provoked such vitriol.
Needless to say, I felt duty-bound to revisit the collection and look at further models in detail. Audemars Piguet kindly acceded to my request to visit its Le Brassus HQ and view the new collection at close quarters.

On arrival, my host proceeded to show an array of vintage models. Some of these models pre-dated the legendary Royal Oak, sporting irregular lines and infused with incredible aesthetic flair. It was clear the brand sought to embrace this amazing creativity when it conceived the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding.
I was then shown a number of large-format 3D printed models, each depicting a different component of the case. I had seen them before at SIHH 2019, but they still proved fascinating and demonstrated that the brand’s designers had a near-obsessive attention to detail.

Thereafter, I was invited to return back to school and try polishing a large octagonal piece of metal. Some sections had to be bevelled while maintaining the flat profile of neighbouring surfaces. I found the technique challenging to master, but it did prove a suitable means of conveying the skill and patience needed to impart the case with its intended finish.

While the first hour of my AP experience was within the confines of an office, it was not long before I was taken to its modern production facility. Today’s Manufacture does not resemble the company’s atelier of the late 19th century. Now, the brightly lit rooms exhibit a sterile quality, free of dust. Soon I was attired in a pristine watchmaker’s coat and my shoes were clad in disposable overshoes, mitigating the risk of contaminating the immaculate floor.

However, while there was a high-tech aura to the room, traditional craftsmanship prevailed. Watchmaker’s fingertips were clad in pink rubber, preventing parts from the blight of greasy smudges. Screws were skilfully tightened without any heads being scratched or chewed. There were some examples of automation but not to the detriment of quality. Closely looking at a movement, with loupe in hand, revealed perlage, Côtes de Genève and anglage. High-end finishing was omnipresent, perpetuating the brand’s reputation for fine watchmaking.

Finally, I had the opportunity to look at several models from the Code 11.59 collection. I entered a room, with its walls bedecked with a myriad of Royal Oaks and Royal Oak Offshores, including some rare references. More pertinently, I was able to look closely at a few versions of the Code 11.59. There were several models presented for my delectation, however, one stood out from the crowd and, surprisingly, it was the most affordable reference within the collection, the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding.

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