Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59: Ahead of the Curve

The Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 collection: where sapphire glass is made to perform gymnastics.

The other-worldly concept of Audemars Piguet’s CODE 11.59 collection is the stuff of horological legend. It is the talk of the town, for its cutting-edge construction, modern aesthetics and superior features, all of which elevate AP’s CODE 11.59 to mystical heights.

While horological aficionados are marveling over the duality of each timepiece’s case architecture that’s both round and octagonal, and finished both in mirror and satin-brushed styles, and a dial that offers clarity and legibility from all angles (more on this later), the initiated chatter is also about how the AP logo has been updated using a galvanic growth technique and applied with 24K gold for the very first time for any collection, and of course its 3 key highlights, which are also what set it apart from the competition:

the brand’s debut in-house automatic chronograph movement, Calibre 4401 that proffers 70 hours of power reserve and an immediate jumping date;
its Calibre 2950, an automatic flying tourbillon movement with a central rotor and 65-hour power reserve; and
Calibre 4302, a self-winding time-date movement with a 70-hour power reserve.

The meticulous finish of AP’s CODE 11.59 notwithstanding, the unique design of the glass on each timepiece in the collection leaves something more to be said. But truly, how ‘never-before’ can glass on a timepiece be? Here’s what else – and what’s most beguiling about it that – elevates AP’s CODE 11.59 above and beyond the standard.

Glass isn’t just that when it’s made of double-curved sapphire crystal. In AP’s CODE 11.59, it’s remarkably curved from 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock, while beneath that, it is also slightly arched. The beautiful result is that it ensures a crystal-clear dial that’s glare-resistant and legible from any and all angles, and enhances the dial’s details, placing them always in gorgeous stark relief. The double-convex effect of the crystal creates an interesting and unique ripple-movement effect, too, especially when viewed at certain angles, and this ‘lifts’ the timepiece’s numerals, so they can be read well from any angle. All this making the AP CODE 11.59’s highly reflective dial seem illusively fluid, yet even more outstanding.

As far as complicated timepieces go, this subtle stunner is destined to be a conversation starter and very appreciated as an ultra-luxe choice by those in the know, and those who recognise the poetry behind it. The AP CODE 11.59 collection of watches in steel or gold and leather are formal but not flashy, and exquisitely well-engineered for good reason. Each piece is a timeless complement to the well-tailored wardrobe for 2020 and beyond.