NEW RELEASE 2022 FEB: HIGH COMPLICATION AUDEMARS PIGUET CODE 11.59
Next off in the new releases, we have a slew of highly complicated Code 11.59 models and notably what Audemars Piguet has dubbed “ULTRA-COMPLICATION UNIVERSELLE (RD#4)”, showcasing the bread and butter of AP before the Royal Oak, their high complication line.
Ever since creating an uproar in the watch world in SIHH 2019, the Code 11.59 hasn’t really gone anywhere or captured the attention of the watch world. It started to change with the release of the Starwheel last year and has definitely captured it now. The RD #4 took AP over 7 years of development and is a culmination of the RD #1, #2, and #3. Housing over 23 complications which includes a Grand Sonnerie Supersonnerie, minute repeater, perpetual calendar, split-seconds flyback chronograph, and flying tourbillon, all in a case size of 42mm which all in all is a feat on its own. The mastermind of this is Giulio Papi of Renaud & Papi which AP owns.
How do you use 23 complications, you may ask? The complete overhaul of the crown and pushers we may know. There are 3 pushers on the left, the first operates the minute repeater while the bottom two operate the time and date. The two crowns on the right at two and four o’clock operate the flyback split-seconds chronograph, it also allows the selection of the chimes; forward and backward for the month which returns to a neutral position after each rotation.
Next, off we have 4 different SUPERSONNERIE, one with a smoked sapphire dial and a trilogy of clear sapphire dials. All to showcase the intricacy of the inner workings of the movement. The 26395NR & 26397NR come with a rose Gold casing with a black ceramic middle casing, while the 26397NB which comes in White Gold with a black ceramic middle casing, and the 26397QA comes in Yellow Gold with a black ceramic casing. The four watches come in a case size of 41mm, and a hand-wound (manual-wind) movement. The 3 models with a clear sapphire dial are each piece unique, meaning only 1 will be made for each material.
Lastly, we have the mesmerising 26396NR featuring a smoked green enamelled aventurine dial, known as a fumé or gradient dial, with a lighter center that intensifies at the edges. The watch comes in a 41mm two-tone case of pink gold and black ceramic and will launch exclusively in Southeast Asia in June 2023. Global release will follow in August 2023.
We are excited for the code 11.59 lineup, and cannot wait for what AP has in store for us next. Will the new steel and ultra-complication lines revive the model? Only time would tell.
For more information, visit: www.audemarspiguet.com