SUBTLE TOUCHES
audemars piguet’s new Code 11.59 collection is seemingly straightforward, but is anything but
For the longest time, Audemars Piguet and the Royal Oak have been practically synonymous, with none of the Le Brassus manufacture’s other collections, such as the Millenary, quite matching its desirability and cachet. Things look set to change with the introduction of Code 11.59, a completely new watch collection that’s arguably Audemars Piguet’s most significant launch in the past two decades.
The Code 11.59 timepiece is a round watch – with numerous twists. For a start, it has an octagonal case middle. This is reminiscent of the Royal Oak’s bezel and a nod to the brand’s heritage in experimenting with shapes, and the octagon’s sides are each divided into three facets that are either polished or linearly brushed. The atypical design continues with the sapphire crystal, which has a top surface that’s curved on two axes to resemble a saddle. This detail hides in plain sight and only reveals itself when the watch is observed from its flank. Even the lugs here aren’t straightforward. On the Code 11.59’s timepieces, only the upper lugs are attached, leaving the lower ones freely floating with just the tiniest of gaps to showcase the components’ close manufacturing tolerances.
The minutiae described above are just some of the many that Code 11.59 sports in its design. Collectively, they almost seem like an invitation to examine the watch from every possible angle. Some of these features will probably be lost on the casual observer though. It’s watchmaking for watchmaking’s sake, like an impeccably finished movement that’s hidden behind a solid case back – the product’s quality is key, and any recognition of such is secondary.
Code 11.59 was launched with six models: a time‑only model, a chronograph, a perpetual calendar, a flying tourbillon, a skeletonised tourbillon and a minute repeater. The watches are only available in gold, with most of them offered in both pink gold and white gold. According to ceo François‑henry Bennahmias, the new line is slated to eventually account for 20 percent of the brand’s total sales. It is for now only available in Audemars Piguet boutiques.