After nearly 150 years of excellence in the art of watchmaking, Swiss Haute Horlogerie Audemars Piguet remains stoic at the crossroads between technical modernity and traditional craftsmanship, reinforcing its standing as one of the most prestigious brands in the world with six additions to the Code 11.59 collection, made for the first time in stainless steel.
“The arrival of steel in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection is one of the natural steps towards a long and successful future for the line.” François-Henry Bennahmias, CEO Audemars Piguet
With four new references made entirely of stainless steel and the other two combining this with ceramic, the new Code 11.59 Selfwinding, and Selfwinding Chronograph watches in 41 mm are standouts from the get. Not only for the never-before-seen material now in its ranks—shoulder-to-shoulder with the classic white and pink golds and ceramics present in the collection since 2019 and 2022, respectively—but for the effortless combination of traditional watchmaking techniques, patented mechanisms, functional details, and an exclusive stamp pattern by the immensely talented guilloché craftsman, Yann von Kaenel.
The master craftsman undertook the complex task with precision, passion, and knowledge, creating a wave effect that ripples outwards, dragging the eye across and around the dial. And like stars in the night sky, the pattern is pierced by hundreds of pinholes, hundreds of tiny moments when the light takes a moment to dance across the surface. With details like this, it’s easy to imagine oneself by the side of a lake, skipping stones across a surface and forcing mirrored stars to waltz across water, a daydream created by Yann von Kaenel exclusively for Audemars Piguet.
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet: What’s New?
And like this soothing water motif, the functionality is reflected on its surface as much as its craftsmanship. One will discover what Audemars Piguet seeks to emphasize within each timepiece: ergonomics and legibility. Sleek hour markers in modern typography have replaced the traditional Arabic numerals, a modernized detail enhanced by Super LumiNova, meaning the faceted hour markers and hands glow in low light.
The Manufacture combined cutting-edge technology and traditional techniques to create the most complicated case in its history in steel, which is far less malleable than gold. The references now feature an ultra-thin bezel and a widened inner bezel with an updated angle for a reduced height difference with the dial. They also feature a more detailed seconds scale for improved precision, which is enhanced by the patented reset mechanism included in each. And because Audemars Piguet never does things by halves, Calibres 4302—with seconds and date indicators—and 4401—a selfwinding chronograph movement with a column wheel and flyback function—make their appearances, the movements visible behind stunning sapphire case backs. If that weren’t enough, a brand new 22-carat pink gold open-worked oscillating weight has also been introduced.
The Aesthetic Details
Contrast is created through the harmony of textiles and colors and balanced details that put the watch enthusiast’s needs and preferences first. Three dial colors are available for both the Audemars Piguet Selfwinding and Selfwinding Chronograph pieces. The pin or folding bracelet buckles now feature the Audemars Piguet monogram rather than the classic engraved ‘”Audemars Piguet” signature.
To further please the eye, the blue—a nod to the Royal Oak collection—and green dials are treated with PVD, the beige with a galvanic process. The result is a deepening of the stamped pattern, taking the colors on the surface to deeper and unexpected tones. Light itself plays a part in the stunning contrast by reflecting off the dial and casting shadows in the ripples.
From the softness of calf leather and smoothness of rubber to sleek polished and satin finishes, from the classic Selfwinding and Selfwinding Chronographs of gold to steel and ceramic, Audemars Piguet has embraced an important evolution in style and married it to renowned, refined precision and quality, as only master watchmakers are wont to do.
“The launch of these timepieces marks an evolution in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet, notably with the arrival of steel, but also with a new dial design, specially developed by our teams, which has now become a signature style for the collection.” Sofia Candeias, Product Director Audemars Piguet
Price & Availability
These new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection pieces will be available in Audemars Piguet boutiques and selected global retailers from April 2023.
Price: From EUR 25,200 for 3-hand
From EUR 34,800 for chrono
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