{"id":141367,"date":"2022-12-06T17:00:37","date_gmt":"2022-12-06T09:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/revolutionwatch.com\/?p=141367"},"modified":"2024-04-16T13:58:00","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T05:58:00","slug":"audemars-piguet-code-11-59-starwheel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/revolutionwatch.com\/audemars-piguet-code-11-59-starwheel\/","title":{"rendered":"Introducing the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Starwheel"},"content":{"rendered":"
An uncommon complication that’s nevertheless not inaccessible today, wandering hours can be found in watches ranging from micro-brand examples that cost low thousands to top-range models from makers like Urwerk and Vacheron Constantin, but AP’s version is always special because of historical reasons.
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After making about 30 models, including an impressive version that packs a wandering hours and minute repeater into the same case, Audemars Piguet discontinued the complication in 2003 and has been quiet for the past two decades. This means that the Code 11.59 Starwheel is the long-awaited return of a prodigal son, and one that’s timely given the rise in popularity in the original Star Wheel references.
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Inside the watch is the cal. 4310. This movement is essentially a cal. 4309 with an additional wandering hours module on the dial side. Notably, the movement retains an impressive 70 hours power reserve despite having additional discs that consume a considerable amount of energy. The finishing of the module is noteworthy with the steel parts vertically grained on top and flanked by rounded, polished bevel. The back, however, is industrially but precisely finished, as is usual for an AP movement that’s not a skeleton or high complication.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
The latest Starwheel is indeed a compelling time-only Code 11.59. In fact, even though it’s no comparison to the top-of-the-line Code 11.59 in technical terms, it is easily one of the most unusual.<\/p>\n
It’s also interesting that the wandering hours makes a comeback in the form of a Code 11.59 instead of a Royal Oak. That’s perhaps because AP wanted a truly contemporary version that’s rooted in the 21st century, which is the case here. The new Starwheel has a striking two-tone case in white gold and black ceramic, while also having black hour discs against a blue aventurine glass dial. It’s very different from the original “Star Wheel” in the 1990s and is satisfyingly contemporary. That said, I do find the hour discs that sit closely together appear cluttered, especially because they are all in dark colours, but it’s personal and I get that the design is meant to be bold.<\/p>\n
Interestingly, the new Starwheel gets a second hand, which is not unprecedented but remains uncommon. I appreciate the added convenience of being able to tell if the watch is running, but I wish the hand was a tad longer as it only extends to the fan-shaped minute track now.
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Movement:<\/b> Cal. 4310; automatic; 70 hours power reserve
\nFunctions:<\/b> Wandering hours, minutes, and seconds
\nCase:<\/b> 40 x 10.7 mm; 18k white gold and black ceramic; water resistant to 30 m
\nStrap:<\/b> Black rubber strap with white gold pin buckle
\nPrice:<\/b> USD 57,900<\/div><\/div><\/div> \t<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":216,"featured_media":141376,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","spc_primary_category":0},"categories":[57,5,86],"tags":[233,33],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n