A new line of AP watches is making waves and for good reasons. Let’s get up-close-and-personal with the new Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 Selfwinding 41mm in this detailed review. Today we will look at a striking new collection of AP watches that is getting many watch enthusiasts excited. Piece-by-piece we will analyze it and give it a detailed and honest review. We’ll begin with the most looked-at feature of the watch which is the dial. Let’s get started, shall we?
This model has a striking lacquered smoked grey gradient dial that has a fine radial brush sunburst pattern. The dial has an inner bezel that has a black lacquered finish. On this inner bezel, each of the 5-minute intervals uses a small white printed font for the numerals on the minutes’ track and is separated by finely printed index-style second markers. On the inner dial, the polished applied hour markers are in bold Arabic-styled font for the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. These four appliqué numerals are separated by applied and beveled index hour markers. A date aperture is located between the 4 and 5 o’clock position.
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.