The creator of many sought-after icons, Audemars Piguet decided to push the envelope in 2019. The manufacture debuted the bold new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection, a range of sophisticated timepieces that bear very unique aesthetics.

“Code” is inspired by modern lingo and the current trend of shortening words in millennial speak. “11.59” is meant to remind us that Audemars Piguet is always ahead of the game, constantly on the brink of tomorrow.

The technicality and precision of Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet timepieces showcase the brand’s multiple talents in the field of complicated watchmaking. Audemars Piguet played a pioneering role in the invention of complications in the 19th century with the release of the first chiming wristwatch. The brand was a pivotal part of the revival of complications in the 1970s and 1980s, by presenting future icons like the ultra-thin perpetual calendar of 1978 and the first tourbillon wristwatch of 1986.

The debut Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection comprised 13 new references, six new models and three new calibers. These included a perpetual calendar with aventurine dial, a flying tourbillon, a chronograph, a minute repeater Supersonnerie, two openworked tourbillon watches, and watches with a date window between the “4” and “5” hour markers.

Among the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet timepieces released in 2019, was a memorable chronograph driven by the in-house caliber 4401, which was the first integrated chronograph of the manufacture to be serialised. This movement is highlighted by an openworked pink gold rotor and packs a 70-hour power reserve. Its column wheel and flyback function enable the restarting of the chronograph without the need to stop or reset it first.

This collection has since evolved with an array of new dial colors, material combinations and complications. Nonetheless, all these new iterations have remained faithful to the collection’s original codes.

The Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection bears many distinctive details. Between the bezel, caseback and lugs, is an octagonal case middle, which pays tribute to the Royal Oak, as well as many other heritage Audemars Piguet timepieces that adopted various geometrical forms over the years. This elegant case is decorated with a tasteful mix of polished and satin-brushed finishes, which showcases Audemars Piguet’s sharp sense of understated elegance, its mastery of hand finishes and is possibly the most prominent trait of Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet cases.

The upper lugs of these timepieces are soldered to the extra-thin bezel, while the bottom lugs lay flush with the caseback but are not attached to it. The screws used in these watches are hexagonal, also in tribute to renowned icons of Audemars Piguet. Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet watches are also distinguished by their double curved sapphire crystal. While their internal surfaces are shaped like domes, the faces of these watches are vertically curved from six to 12 o’clock.

New Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet timepieces were unveiled in September 2022, which feature these instantly recognizable aesthetics and are inspired by the brand’s spirit of innovation.

Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon

Announced in September 2022, the new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon marries a black onyx dial with an 18K white gold and black ceramic case. The intricate stone dial of this two-toned timepiece was created with the help of long-time Audemars Piguet collaborator Someco, a dial manufacturing company located in La Chaux-de-Fonds that has been making dials since 1966.

Someco fashioned this thin disk from a single black onyx stone, which was then ground, sanded, polished and inserted into the pink gold-toned brass baseplate. As each onyx stone is different in composition and appearance, and reacts differently to manufacturing and finishing processes, every Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon will have a unique look. The onyx is contrasted by the pink gold accents of the hands and minute track, the polished laser-cut pink gold “Audemars Piguet” signature, and the case’s gleaming 18K white gold bezel, lugs and caseback.

A circle has been cut out at the six o’clock position of this hand-finished dial, which is lined by a circular pink gold-toned thread and enthrones the flying tourbillon cage. This gilded escapement is accentuated by a black PVD top bridge.

A signature trait of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet series, the octagonal case middle of this timepiece has been crafted from black ceramic, in partnership with Bangerter, a Swiss family-owned company specialized in the manufacturing of precision components made of advanced ceramics, tungsten carbide and other super hard materials.

Like other Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet timepieces, its entire case is hand finished with the manufacture’s trademark alternation of satin brushing and polished chamfers.

The movement that drives the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon is the caliber 2950, which is wound by a 22K pink gold oscillating weight and comprises components that have been hand finished with Côtes de Genève, traits tirés, snailing and circular graining, among other techniques.

This timepiece is secured to the wrist by a black rubber-coated strap finished with a textured motif.

Like the first two-toned Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet model, which was the Selfwinding Chronograph of 2021, the new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon not only showcases the manufacture’s creativity, but also what elite skills and state-of-the-art manufacturing technology can achieve with natural stone, precious metals and high-tech ceramic.

Tech Specs

Reference: 26396NB.OO.D002KB.01
Movement: Self-winding caliber 2950; 65-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes and flying tourbillon
Case: 41mm; black ceramic case middle, with 18K white gold bezel, lugs, caseback and crown; water resistant to 20m
Dial: Black onyx; black lacquered inner bezel; 18K pink gold hands
Strap: Black rubber-coated with calfskin lining; 18K white gold AP folding clasp

---

Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Openworked

A feast for the eyes, the 50-piece limited edition 41mm Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Openworked combines blue ceramic with 18K white gold. The zirconium oxide powder (ZrO2) is modified by adding pigment and binder content before the powder is transformed into ceramic through a complex industrial process. The components obtain their precise shade of blue after being sintered at temperatures averaging 1,400°C.

This exhilarating tourbillon watch marks the first time blue ceramic has been used in Audemars Piguet’s relatively young collection. Its case is decorated with satin brushing and polished chamfers.

The pink gold hue of its 18K gold pointers and balance wheel are exquisitely emphasized by the dial’s blue and grey shades, recalling the case’s two-tone aesthetics.

Peer into the mesmerizing openworking of this watch, through 70 hand polished V-angles to enjoy the caliber 2948, an architectural marvel that comprises openworked bridges and mainplate that have been coated blue by a process called ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), and an openworked barrel that showcases the mainspring’s state of wind.

Its blue textured rubber-coated calfskin leather strap is integrated into its lugs. Undo this strap to admire its white gold and sapphire caseback that is engraved with the words “Limited Edition of 50 pieces,” and also showcases the movement’s snail-finished and circular satin-brushed surfaces.

Tech Specs

Reference: 26600NB.OO.D346KB.01
Movement: Manual winding caliber 2948; 72-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes and tourbillon
Case: 41mm; blue ceramic case middle, with 18K white gold bezel and lugs; water resistant to 20m
Dial: Openworked movement display with blue CVD inner bezel; 18K pink gold hands
Strap: Blue textured rubber-coated with calfskin lining; 18K white gold AP folding clasp
Price: Upon request
Availability: Limited edition of 50 pieces

---

Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph

We love this 50-piece limited edition, which showcases the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet style of flying tourbillon, chronograph and openworking. Also introduced in September 2022, the two-toned Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph is furnished with a black ceramic case middle contrasted with an extra-thin bezel, crown, push-pieces and lugs all in 18K pink gold.

It’s difficult to take one’s eyes off its captivating openworking, which sucks one in with black and pink gold bridges that swirl over one another in ravishing fashion. The thrilling geometry of these sandblasted, satin-finished and polished 111 V-angles ultimately lead the eyes to the pink gold-accented balance wheel and flyback chronograph subdials, which form a trinity across the dial’s 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 positions. Craftsmen spent a total of 70 hours endowing the hand finished Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph with this captivating visual depth and dimension.

Its 65-hour power reserve caliber 2952 is Audemars Piguet’s latest automatic movement, which is wound by a 22K pink gold rotor. The engraving on the caseback reminds us that only a precious 50 examples of this timepiece were made.

Tech Specs

Reference: 26399NR.OO.D002KB.01
Movement: Self-winding caliber 2952; 65-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, flying tourbillon and flyback chronograph
Case: 41mm; black ceramic case middle, with 18K pink gold bezel, lugs, push-pieces and crown; water resistant to 20m
Dial: Black lacquered inner bezel; 18K white gold hands
Strap: Black textured rubber-coated with calfskin lining; 18K pink gold AP folding clasp
Price: Upon request
Availability: Limited edition of 50 pieces

---

A Memorable Collection

If you desire an elegant round watch or a timepiece with a unique aesthetic, these new additions to the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection tick both boxes. A brand steeped in history and watchmaking savoir faire, Audemars Piguet has leveraged these new timepieces to display its technical prowess and decorative capabilities. An auteur of sophistication and a vanguard of high watchmaking, this manufacture is enthusiastic about and very capable of birthing new horological icons.