The Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection debuted in 2019, comprising 13 new references, six new models and three new calibers. After creating established icons like the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore, the manufacture sought to create a new legacy with the Code 11.59.

As you might be aware, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet range is dinstinguished by several avant-garde features. Both the front and back sapphire crystals are curved from six to 12 o’clock – the caseback is made concave in the name of comfort and the dome is made convex in order to magnify readability. Secondly, the bezel, caseback and lugs sandwich an octagonal case middle that pays tribute to the Royal Oak. Said lugs are hollow – the upper lugs are soldered to the extra-thin bezel, while the bottom lugs are flush with the caseback but are not attached to it.

2023 Novelties

Among the six novelties are three time-and-date timepieces and three chronographs. These chronographs are the latest chronographs added to the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet family, since the 18K pink gold Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph with black ceramic case middle, which was introduced in September 2022.
According to outgoing Audemars Piguet CEO, François-Henry Bennahmias, “Code” is inspired by modern lingo and “11.59” emphasizes that Audemars Piguet is always ahead of the game, constantly on the brink of tomorrow.

The manufacture confidently continues to enlarge the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet family, which is destined to become a future horological icon that showcases the technical savoir-faire and elite in-house metiers d’art skills of Audemars Piguet.

Since its debut, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection has been crafted primarily in 18K white or pink gold. Ceramic case middles were introduced in 2021 and 2022 to a few gold models, and 2023 witnesses the introduction of full steel and ceramic-and-steel cases. Four of the six new references have full steel cases, while the remaining two beige dial novelties come in steel cases that sandwich black ceramic case middles.

Audemars Piguet decided to venture into steel case components only after careful consideration, as steel is tougher to bend and shape than gold. Thus, the new novelties are canvases where Audemars Piguet demonstrates its talents in machining and finishing.

With a 41mm case size, these six novelties are replete with the alternating satin and polished finishes that add visual depth. Besides a combination of hand finishes, these novelties’ dials are made using innovative techniques that make then ‘pop’.

The face that might launch a thousand ships

Audemars Piguet developed stamp dials for these new timepieces, in collaboration with Swiss guilloché craftsman Yann von Kaenel. Wave patterns that radiate from the center of the dial are first engraved by hand onto these stamps. These waves are formed by making hundreds of microscopic perforations. After which, color is applied via physical vapor deposition to endow these dials with a three-dimensional feel.

These intense shades are accentuated by 18K white gold pointers and markers, which have been coated with Super-LumiNova. One design update of the new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet is a more detailed seconds scale that divides each second into four parts; past Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet, at most, only had a marker for every minute. The typography of the numerals has also been changed slightly.

Two of the six novelties feature a new color, “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50”, which is synonymous with the Royal Oak.

Designers have also decreased the depth of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet dial, by reducing the steepness of the inner bezel’s angle and widening it. These engrossing dials are each paired with a matching textile-patterned rubber strap that is lined with calf leather. Formerly bearing the long Audemars Piguet signature, the buckles of the new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet timepieces are now simply branded with just the ‘AP’ monogram.

As for the chronographs, all three are powered by the Calibre 4401, which has a vertical gear train that prevents the hands from jumping during the activation and stopping of the chronograph function.

These arrive with stainless steel case (with ceramic for the beige), and the same handsome dial variations as before.

These new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet timepieces will be available in Audemars Piguet boutiques and at selected retailers worldwide from April 2023.

Tech Specs

Reference: 15210ST.OO.A343KB.01
Movement: Self-winding Calibre 4302; 70-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
Case: 41mm; stainless steel case; water resistant to 30m
Dial: “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 dial” dial, grey inner bezel, 18K white gold applied hour-markers and hands
Strap: Blue leather and rubber with stainless steel AP pin buckle

Reference: 15210ST.OO.A056KB.01
Movement: Self-winding Calibre 4302; 70-hour power reserve Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
Case: 41mm; stainless steel case; water resistant to 30m
Dial: Green dial, green inner bezel, 18K white gold applied hour-markers and hands
Strap: Green leather and rubber with stainless steel AP pin buckle

Reference: 15210QT.OO.A064KB.01
Movement: Self-winding Calibre 4302; 70-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
Case: 41mm; black ceramic case middle and crown, stainless steel case, lugs, bezel and caseback; water resistant to 30 m
Dial: Smoked beige dial, black inner bezel, 18K white gold applied hour-markers and hands
Strap: Beige leather and rubber with stainless steel AP pin buckle

Reference: 26393ST.OO.A343KB.01
Movement: Self-winding Calibre 4401; 70-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date and flyback chronograph
Case: 41mm; stainless steel case; water resistant to 30m
Dial: “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” dial, grey inner bezel, blue counters with external grey zone, grey counter at 6 o’clock, 18K applied hour-markers and hands
Strap: Blue leather and rubber with stainless steel AP pin buckle

Reference: 26393ST.OO.A056KB.01
Movement: Self-winding Calibre 4401; 70-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date and flyback chronograph
Case: 41mm; stainless steel case; water resistant to 30m
Dial: Green dial, green inner bezel, green counters with rhodium-coloured outer zone, green counter at 6 o’clock, 18K applied hour-markers and hands
Strap: Green leather and rubber with stainless steel AP pin buckle

Reference: 26393QT.OO.A064KB.01
Movement: Self-winding Calibre 4401; 70-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date and flyback chronograph
Case: 41mm; black ceramic case middle and crown, stainless steel case, lugs, bezel and caseback,; water resistant to 30m
Dial: Smoked beige dial, black inner bezel, beige counters with black outer zone, black counter at 6 o’clock, 18K applied hour-markers and hands
Strap: Beige leather and rubber with stainless steel AP pin buckle