Audemars Piguet Cracks A New Code for.. ?
CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet comes 47 years after the launch of one of its most iconic collections – the Royal Oak. Launch of the 11.59 collection is also how Audemars Piguet says goodbye to the Geneva watch fair. From 2020, as SIHH moves its calendar to an April event, AP will not be a part of the fair.
The acronym CODE 11.59 stands for Challenge-Own-Dare-Evolve. 11.59 marks and means the minute before a new day.
Audemars Piguet 2019 watch collection comprises six models split into 13 references featuring three new calibres. Among the defining features of the collection are:
Case – Audemars Piguet has combined an octagonal middlecase to a round case.
Sapphire crystal – The Maison went for double-curved arched styling that gives the timepieces more depth.
Dial – For the first time 24 carat gold has been applied layer by layer through galvanic growth for the logo
Movement – The collection features six in-house movements of which three are brand new.
Here’s a clear low down on what the collection has to offer to buyers.
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet
AUDEMARS PIGUET SELFWINDING WATCH CODE 11.59
This novelty features a new automatic movement – calibre 4302 – with a 22-carat gold oscillating weight. The movement, which has been developed and made inside the manufacture walls of Audemars Piguet, beats at 4 Herz which allows the selfwinding model to function seamlessly even at 32 mm diameters. A highlighted feature in this hand-finished model is the integration of the strap into the openworked lugs that accentuates the beauty of the case. A classic piece to consider albeit at a high price. The selfwinding Audemars piguet watches will be sold in pink and white gold cases. Functions are limited to hours, minutes, seconds and date.
PRICE AUDEMARS PIGUET SELFWINDING WATCH CODE 11.59 : CHF 25,000
AUDEMARS PIGUET SELFWINDING CHRONOGRAPH CODE 11.59
Audemars Piguet new in-house caliber 4401 powers the selfwinding chronograph. The highlights of the calibre include instant-jump date indication, integrated column wheel chronograph, which translates to less drag and more precision. There is also a flyback function which allows the chronograph to restart without having to stop and restart, as in many instances. This novelty has a power reserve of 70 hours.
Quick readability is a crucial factor in chronographs and the deep blue or black lacquered dial ensures this is not an issue. Complementing the striking blue or black dials are or pink gold or white gold cases, offsetting with gleaming gold counters. Taking on the same theme are the raised logo and the hands. The other choices include an 18-carat white gold case with lacquered blue or black dial and counters. The movement features a variety of artful finishing techniques that include “traits tires”, diamond-polished angles, “Côtes de Genève”, circular graining, chamfering and gold-toned engraving.
PRICE AUDEMARS PIGUET SELFWINDING CHRONOGRAPH CODE 11.59 : CHF 39,500
AUDEMARS PIGUET PERPETUAL CALENDAR CODE 11.59
A visually stunning piece, this astronomical watch is everything that you want from a novelty of this genre. The Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar watch stuns with a dark blue aventurine dial and sub-dials that is reminiscent of an awe-inspiring starry night. If you are wondering about aventurine glass, this beautiful creation happened by chance in a Murano glass factory when the craftsmen experimented by dropping copper fillings into molten glass that was left to cool. This was the beginning of one of the finest elements in a timepiece.
Inside the perpetual calendar is the selfwinding Manufacture calibre 5134, boosted with the collection’s signature 22-carat gold openworked weight. As with all perpetual calendars, the mechanism enables to adjust short months while adding a day to February each leap year, automatically.
Aesthetics and craftsmanship come to fore in this beautiful timepiece. The aventurine disc features a lovely image of the moon at 6’o clock which has been created laser engraving. Adding sheen to the shimmering celestial sphere on the dial are the pink gold case, hands and applied hour-markers.
The watch requires adjustment only once in 122 years and 108 years as the astronomical moon strives to avoid the daily display error. Perhaps it is easier to dig deep in your pocket for mere 69,500 CHF
PRICE AUDEMARS PIGUET PERPETUAL CALENDAR CODE 11.59 : CHF 69,500
AUDEMARS PIGUET SELFWINDING FLYING TOURBILLON CODE 11.59
An interesting member of the new Audemars Piguet 11.59 family is a self-winding movement that showcases a central rotor as well as a flying tourbillon. The selfwinding flying tourbillon is powered by the third new calibre, 2950. The gold dial features a ‘Grand Feu’ enamel. ‘Grand Feu’ enameling technique is an intricate process of coating the watch face with layers of enamel by hand. Even the AP signature is crafted in enamel.
The self-winding flying tourbillon openwork oscillating weight is a beauty to look at and can be seen through the caseback. The oscillating weight has been crafted in two colours by AP in pink gold for the pink gold tourbillon dial while the white gold model features a rhodium-toned pink gold. The movement gets a distinctive look through the application of the circular graining and circular satin techniques on the dial side.
This model is available in two versions – an 18 carat white gold case with a captivating blue enamel dial and an 18 carat pink gold case with a black enamel dial.
PRICE AUDEMARS PIGUET SELFWINDING FLYING TOURBILLON CODE 11.59 : CHF 129,000
AUDEMARS PIGUET TOURBILLON OPENWORKED CODE 11.59
If you are still waiting to be surprised, here is a skeleton watch from Audemars Piguet that might do the trick (or not). The 2019 Tourbillon openworked novelty features calibre 2948. The see-through timepiece stands out through a dark openwork rhodium German silver mainplate and PVD bridges that strike a stark contrast contrast with its 18-carat pink gold case. Artistry is on display here especially with a balance wheel being given a classy gold tone. The tourbillon openwork features 70 hand-polished V angles and has an 80-hour power reserve running at 3 Herz.
PRICE AUDEMARS PIGUET TOURBILLON OPENWORKED CODE 11.59: CHF 175,000
AUDEMARS PIGUET MINUTE REPEATER SUPERSONNERIE CODE 11.59
The maison’s new collection is truly decoded with the technicality and complexity demonstrated in the Minute Repeater Supersonnerie. The Audemars Piguet 2019 minute repeater supersonnerie technology was actually first launched in 2016 with the Royal Oak Concept Supersonnerie.
It’s game of tones with Audemars Piguet’s new supersonnerie. The timepiece acoustic performance has been made possible by not attaching the gongs to the main-plate but to a new soundboard. The striking regulator has been formulated to cut out any unwanted noise. Audemars Piguet has removed the pause between the hours and minutes where there is no quarter to strike. In addition, the Maison has also included a security function that prevents the accidental alteration of time display when the striking mechanism is in play.
The 2953 Calibre Supersonnerie is crafted in an 18-carat white gold case featuring a lovely smoked blue enamel dial with white gold hands, indexes and numerals and has a 72-hour power reserve. This one is for true blue AP fans.
PRICE AUDEMARS PIGUET MINUTE REPEATER SUPERSONNERIE CODE 11.59: CHF 295,000
