Swiss Haute Horlogerie Manufacture Audemars Piguet celebrated the launch of its new collection “CODE 11.59” by Audemars Piguet.
CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet writes a new page in the Manufacture’s history and represents its genetic code. CODE stands for Challenge, Own, Dare and Evolve. 11.59 is ahead of the game, constantly on the brink of tomorrow. The contemporary evolution of a classic, this collection gives a contemporary twist and a certain edginess to the classic round watch, while carrying on the Manufacture’s long history of unconventional form and design languages. Composed of 13 references, including five complications and six calibres of the latest generation, it represents one of the most important launches for Audemars Piguet ever.
CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet writes a new page in the Manufacture’s history and represents its genetic code. CODE stands for Challenge, Own, Dare and Evolve. 11.59 is ahead of the game, constantly on the brink of tomorrow. The contemporary evolution of a classic, this collection gives a contemporary twist and a certain edginess to the classic round watch, while carrying on the Manufacture’s long history of unconventional form and design languages. Composed of 13 references, including five complications and six calibres of the latest generation, it represents one of the most important launches for Audemars Piguet ever.
WHAT COMES NOW IS MADE TO AMAZE
“At Audemars Piguet we constantly challenge ourselves to push the limits of craftsmanship. Endowed with a strong spirit of independence, we proudly own our roots and territory, daring to combine precision and creativity. Faithful to our legacy, we continue to evolve by preserving and rewriting traditions.”
Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors
“At Audemars Piguet we constantly challenge ourselves to push the limits of craftsmanship. Endowed with a strong spirit of independence, we proudly own our roots and territory, daring to combine precision and creativity. Faithful to our legacy, we continue to evolve by preserving and rewriting traditions.”
Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors
Challenge
Challenging the Limits of Craftsmanship
For over 144 years, Audemars Piguet has nurtured generations of talented craftspeople dedicated to practicing their skills at the highest level, building on tradition, while consistently breaking the well-mastered rules of horology. Never taking its savoir-faire for granted, Audemars Piguet continuously challenges its practices and production standards in an endless quest for artistry, excellence and technical perfection.
Own
Owning Legacy
Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families. Devoted to the preservation and transmission of its passion, savoir-faire and avant-garde spirit, Audemars Piguet continues to infuse its timepieces with enduring values of artistic excellence and technical mastery. Taking ownership of its roots, Audemars Piguet also affirms its creative vision through artistic reinterpretations, such as infrared shots, of the natural landscape of the Vallée de Joux, where it all begun in 1875.
Dare
Daring to Follow Firm Convictions
Going against the flow of industrialisation in 1875, Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet turned their backs on the lure of mass markets, daring to craft unique complicated watches. Since then, Audemars Piguet has charted its own course. A century later, Audemars Piguet continued to create bold complicated wristwatches in defiance of the quartz crisis, venturing to develop the world’s thinnest selfwinding perpetual calendar in 1978 and paving the way for the revival of classical mechanical complications.
Evolve
Never Standing Still
Constantly reinventing itself, while never losing sight of its origins, Audemars Piguet never stands still. With the emergence of the digital age, Audemars Piguet has kept following its own path, using transformative technologies to create ground-breaking timepieces. Passionate, innovative, and persevering, Audemars Piguet’s craftsmen continuously develop new skills and techniques, broadening their savoir-faire to set rule-breaking trends.
Challenging the Limits of Craftsmanship
For over 144 years, Audemars Piguet has nurtured generations of talented craftspeople dedicated to practicing their skills at the highest level, building on tradition, while consistently breaking the well-mastered rules of horology. Never taking its savoir-faire for granted, Audemars Piguet continuously challenges its practices and production standards in an endless quest for artistry, excellence and technical perfection.
Own
Owning Legacy
Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families. Devoted to the preservation and transmission of its passion, savoir-faire and avant-garde spirit, Audemars Piguet continues to infuse its timepieces with enduring values of artistic excellence and technical mastery. Taking ownership of its roots, Audemars Piguet also affirms its creative vision through artistic reinterpretations, such as infrared shots, of the natural landscape of the Vallée de Joux, where it all begun in 1875.
Dare
Daring to Follow Firm Convictions
Going against the flow of industrialisation in 1875, Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet turned their backs on the lure of mass markets, daring to craft unique complicated watches. Since then, Audemars Piguet has charted its own course. A century later, Audemars Piguet continued to create bold complicated wristwatches in defiance of the quartz crisis, venturing to develop the world’s thinnest selfwinding perpetual calendar in 1978 and paving the way for the revival of classical mechanical complications.
Evolve
Never Standing Still
Constantly reinventing itself, while never losing sight of its origins, Audemars Piguet never stands still. With the emergence of the digital age, Audemars Piguet has kept following its own path, using transformative technologies to create ground-breaking timepieces. Passionate, innovative, and persevering, Audemars Piguet’s craftsmen continuously develop new skills and techniques, broadening their savoir-faire to set rule-breaking trends.
LOOK AT ME CLOSELY. IT TAKES TIME TO KNOW ME FOR WHO I REALLY AM
“Classic by nature and unconventional by design, CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet chooses it all. This collection demanded new tools, skills and techniques to reach an exceptional degree of technical and aesthetic complexity. CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet is about human challenges. It tells the passionate stories of the dedicated watchmakers who dared to follow their convictions, joined forces and persevered, always pushing their own limits.”
François-Henry Bennahmias, Chief Executive Officer
“Classic by nature and unconventional by design, CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet chooses it all. This collection demanded new tools, skills and techniques to reach an exceptional degree of technical and aesthetic complexity. CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet is about human challenges. It tells the passionate stories of the dedicated watchmakers who dared to follow their convictions, joined forces and persevered, always pushing their own limits.”
François-Henry Bennahmias, Chief Executive Officer
Precision Is in the Details
1.Uniquely Recognisable
The Round, the Octagonal and the Beyond
Audemars Piguet interweaves tensions and opposite forces in the design of the collection’s uniquely recognisable case. By boldly embedding an octagonal middlecase within a round case, Audemars Piguet cuts through the timeline of its long history of form and design experimentations.
The upper part of the openworked lugs is welded to the extra-thin bezel, while the lower part leans delicately against the caseback in perfect alignment. All teams at Audemars Piguet have been implicated in their design and manufacture. New processes challenging traditional production standards were developed to solder the lugs to this extremely thin surface.
Satin-brushed, bevelled and polished, the bezel, lugs and case present high complexity finishing techniques usually found on calibres.
2.Designed for Legibility
The Optical Crystal Experience
The Manufacture has created a complex double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, whose tense, arched profile embodies the watch’s contemporary design.
The glass’s internal surface is shaped like a dome, while its external surface is vertically curved from 6 to 12 o’clock. Its shape perfectly integrates the extrathin bezel and extends from edge to edge. Playing with depth, perspective and light, this double curved sapphire crystal dives into the world of optics for a unique visual experience, while enhancing the detailed work on the dial.
The polished chamfer all around the glass adds the finishing touch, while echoing the perfect finish of the bezel, lugs and case.
3.Depth and Refinement
Raised 3-D Logo Created Atom by Atom and Applied by Hand
The extra-thin bezel brings forward the artistry of the smooth lacquered dial.
The Audemars Piguet signature presents a unique topography, driving the art of horology to its limits. Made of thin layers of gold, it is achieved through a chemical process akin to 3-D printing known as galvanic growth. Each letter is connected with links approximately the size of a hair and placed by hand on the dial with tiny legs almost invisible to the eye.
Going against initial warnings regarding the feasibility of such a logo, Audemars Piguet engineers followed their firm convictions. Making no compromise, they went through an extensive prototyping process, testing a wide array of variations before settling on final procedures and proportions.
4.Movement Variety
Six Calibres of the Latest Generation
This collection features a large choice of six in-house calibres of the latest generation.
Among these six calibres, three are new: an integrated column wheel chronograph with flyback function, a selfwinding calibre with seconds and date indication, and a selfwinding flying tourbillon calibre.
High-end finishing is the very essence of Audemars Piguet’s watches. In respect of Audemars Piguet’s traditions and values, these movements are beautifully decorated to the slightest details with a wide array of finishing techniques, including “traits tirés”, “Côtes de Genève”, circular graining, circular satin, diamond-polished angles and gold-toned engravings.
1.Uniquely Recognisable
The Round, the Octagonal and the Beyond
Audemars Piguet interweaves tensions and opposite forces in the design of the collection’s uniquely recognisable case. By boldly embedding an octagonal middlecase within a round case, Audemars Piguet cuts through the timeline of its long history of form and design experimentations.
The upper part of the openworked lugs is welded to the extra-thin bezel, while the lower part leans delicately against the caseback in perfect alignment. All teams at Audemars Piguet have been implicated in their design and manufacture. New processes challenging traditional production standards were developed to solder the lugs to this extremely thin surface.
Satin-brushed, bevelled and polished, the bezel, lugs and case present high complexity finishing techniques usually found on calibres.
2.Designed for Legibility
The Optical Crystal Experience
The Manufacture has created a complex double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, whose tense, arched profile embodies the watch’s contemporary design.
The glass’s internal surface is shaped like a dome, while its external surface is vertically curved from 6 to 12 o’clock. Its shape perfectly integrates the extrathin bezel and extends from edge to edge. Playing with depth, perspective and light, this double curved sapphire crystal dives into the world of optics for a unique visual experience, while enhancing the detailed work on the dial.
The polished chamfer all around the glass adds the finishing touch, while echoing the perfect finish of the bezel, lugs and case.
3.Depth and Refinement
Raised 3-D Logo Created Atom by Atom and Applied by Hand
The extra-thin bezel brings forward the artistry of the smooth lacquered dial.
The Audemars Piguet signature presents a unique topography, driving the art of horology to its limits. Made of thin layers of gold, it is achieved through a chemical process akin to 3-D printing known as galvanic growth. Each letter is connected with links approximately the size of a hair and placed by hand on the dial with tiny legs almost invisible to the eye.
Going against initial warnings regarding the feasibility of such a logo, Audemars Piguet engineers followed their firm convictions. Making no compromise, they went through an extensive prototyping process, testing a wide array of variations before settling on final procedures and proportions.
4.Movement Variety
Six Calibres of the Latest Generation
This collection features a large choice of six in-house calibres of the latest generation.
Among these six calibres, three are new: an integrated column wheel chronograph with flyback function, a selfwinding calibre with seconds and date indication, and a selfwinding flying tourbillon calibre.
High-end finishing is the very essence of Audemars Piguet’s watches. In respect of Audemars Piguet’s traditions and values, these movements are beautifully decorated to the slightest details with a wide array of finishing techniques, including “traits tirés”, “Côtes de Genève”, circular graining, circular satin, diamond-polished angles and gold-toned engravings.
PRECISION AND CREATIVITY, DESIGN AND MASTERY, RUGGED PURITY
“With 13 models, including four complications in one go, CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet represents one of the most important and comprehensive launches in the Manufacture’s history. For the first time, we are also presenting a collection consciously designed for both men and women, with an arched ergonomic case comfortable for all to wear. These models reach out to the people who choose it all and look beyond the obvious.”
Sebastian Vivas, Heritage and Museum Director
Sebastian Vivas, Heritage and Museum Director
Collection // CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet
1. Selfwinding
The deep blue lacquered dial is enhanced by the 18-carat white gold case, an applied gold 3-D Audemars Piguet signature made in galvanic growth, as well as curved gold indexes and Arabic numerals.
This watch is powered by a new selfwinding movement, calibre 4302, that features a dedicated 22-carat gold oscillating weight. With a large diameter of 32 mm, this calibre improves reliability and accuracy.
The straight integration of the strap in the continuity of the openworked lugs reveals the complex architecture of the case and its refined handfinishing.
2. Selfwinding Chronograph
The selfwinding chronograph’s deep blue lacquered dial offers a perfect mirror finish. The 18-carat pink gold case echoes the polished gold curved indexes and singular numeral at 12 o’clock as well as the raised logo and long sticks hands. The chronograph counters are circled by gold threads with polished V angles, a difficult finishing on lacquered dials.
The new in-house calibre 4401 symbolizes Audemars Piguet’s spirit of independence and constant quest for innovation. This calibre is endowed with an instant-jump date indication, integrated column wheel chronograph and flyback function that enables to re-start the chronograph without stopping and resetting it first. It has 70 hours of power reserve, as well as a dedicated 22-carat pink gold openworked oscillating weight visible through the caseback. This calibre also presents reinforced chronometry.
3. Perpetual Calendar
This model houses selfwinding Manufacture calibre 5134 optimised with the collection’s signature openworked weight in 22-carat gold. A perpetual calendar automatically adjusts short months, and adds a day to February each leap year. If worn permanently, it will require an adjustment in 2100 only. This adjustment will consist in setting the date manually from February 28th to March 1st.
An astronomical watch par excellence, this perpetual calendar model features a dark blue aventurine dial and subdials recalling a star-lit sky.
Aventurine glass was created in the 17th century thanks to a chance manipulation (“all’ avventura”) in a Murano glass factory when copper filings were dropped into cooling molten glass, creating a constellation of sparkling particles. Today, this glass is obtained by introducing black copper oxide and cobalt that give the blue colour to the glass. The pink gold case, hands and applied hour-markers enrich the deep blue sparkling constellation of the aventurine dial.
4. Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon
The selfwinding flying tourbillon gold dial is covered with “Grand Feu” enamel. Every enamel dial is unique due to the organic nature of the material and hand-made manufacturing technique. The pink gold applied hour-markers and hands illuminate the black dial. The Audemars Piguet signature is made in enamel.
It is the first time at Audemars Piguet that a selfwinding movement features a central rotor and a flying tourbillon. Calibre 2950 is finished with “Côtes de Genève”, snailing and hand-polished bevels on the movement’s caseback side. The openworked oscillating weight—visible through the caseback—echoes the colour of the case. The movement is finished with circular graining and circular satin-finishing on the dial side.
5.Tourbillon Openworked
This model houses a unique hand-wound tourbillon openworked movement, calibre 2948, that conveys extreme complexity and depth. The contrast created between the 18-carat pink gold case and the dark openworked mainplate and bridges exclusively designed for this collection, accentuates the movement’s artistry and 3-D effect. The gold-toned balance wheel adds a subtle touch. With 70 hand-polished V angles, the hand finishing on this 4.97 mm thick movement pushes the openworking art to new heights.
6. Minute Repeater Supersonnerie
The minute repeater supersonnerie enriches the collection with a revamped high-end complication that continues to profit from the strong momentum of the minute repeater supersonnerie technology launched in 2016.
This contemporary wristwatch has the sonic power of a pocket watch. Its exceptional acoustic performance, sound quality and harmonic tone are granted by the patented gongs, case construction and striking regulator developed at the time. The performant gongs are not attached to the mainplate, but to a new device acting as soundboard, which improves sound transmission. The redesigned striking regulator eliminates unwanted noise thanks to its more flexible anchor system.
The 18-carat white gold case is complemented by a smoked blue enamel dial set off by white gold hands, applied indexes and numerals, as well as an Audemars Piguet signature in enamel. The soundwave caseback design is inspired by the watch’s exceptional acoustics.
1. Selfwinding
The deep blue lacquered dial is enhanced by the 18-carat white gold case, an applied gold 3-D Audemars Piguet signature made in galvanic growth, as well as curved gold indexes and Arabic numerals.
This watch is powered by a new selfwinding movement, calibre 4302, that features a dedicated 22-carat gold oscillating weight. With a large diameter of 32 mm, this calibre improves reliability and accuracy.
The straight integration of the strap in the continuity of the openworked lugs reveals the complex architecture of the case and its refined handfinishing.
2. Selfwinding Chronograph
The selfwinding chronograph’s deep blue lacquered dial offers a perfect mirror finish. The 18-carat pink gold case echoes the polished gold curved indexes and singular numeral at 12 o’clock as well as the raised logo and long sticks hands. The chronograph counters are circled by gold threads with polished V angles, a difficult finishing on lacquered dials.
The new in-house calibre 4401 symbolizes Audemars Piguet’s spirit of independence and constant quest for innovation. This calibre is endowed with an instant-jump date indication, integrated column wheel chronograph and flyback function that enables to re-start the chronograph without stopping and resetting it first. It has 70 hours of power reserve, as well as a dedicated 22-carat pink gold openworked oscillating weight visible through the caseback. This calibre also presents reinforced chronometry.
3. Perpetual Calendar
This model houses selfwinding Manufacture calibre 5134 optimised with the collection’s signature openworked weight in 22-carat gold. A perpetual calendar automatically adjusts short months, and adds a day to February each leap year. If worn permanently, it will require an adjustment in 2100 only. This adjustment will consist in setting the date manually from February 28th to March 1st.
An astronomical watch par excellence, this perpetual calendar model features a dark blue aventurine dial and subdials recalling a star-lit sky.
Aventurine glass was created in the 17th century thanks to a chance manipulation (“all’ avventura”) in a Murano glass factory when copper filings were dropped into cooling molten glass, creating a constellation of sparkling particles. Today, this glass is obtained by introducing black copper oxide and cobalt that give the blue colour to the glass. The pink gold case, hands and applied hour-markers enrich the deep blue sparkling constellation of the aventurine dial.
4. Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon
The selfwinding flying tourbillon gold dial is covered with “Grand Feu” enamel. Every enamel dial is unique due to the organic nature of the material and hand-made manufacturing technique. The pink gold applied hour-markers and hands illuminate the black dial. The Audemars Piguet signature is made in enamel.
It is the first time at Audemars Piguet that a selfwinding movement features a central rotor and a flying tourbillon. Calibre 2950 is finished with “Côtes de Genève”, snailing and hand-polished bevels on the movement’s caseback side. The openworked oscillating weight—visible through the caseback—echoes the colour of the case. The movement is finished with circular graining and circular satin-finishing on the dial side.
5.Tourbillon Openworked
This model houses a unique hand-wound tourbillon openworked movement, calibre 2948, that conveys extreme complexity and depth. The contrast created between the 18-carat pink gold case and the dark openworked mainplate and bridges exclusively designed for this collection, accentuates the movement’s artistry and 3-D effect. The gold-toned balance wheel adds a subtle touch. With 70 hand-polished V angles, the hand finishing on this 4.97 mm thick movement pushes the openworking art to new heights.
6. Minute Repeater Supersonnerie
The minute repeater supersonnerie enriches the collection with a revamped high-end complication that continues to profit from the strong momentum of the minute repeater supersonnerie technology launched in 2016.
This contemporary wristwatch has the sonic power of a pocket watch. Its exceptional acoustic performance, sound quality and harmonic tone are granted by the patented gongs, case construction and striking regulator developed at the time. The performant gongs are not attached to the mainplate, but to a new device acting as soundboard, which improves sound transmission. The redesigned striking regulator eliminates unwanted noise thanks to its more flexible anchor system.
The 18-carat white gold case is complemented by a smoked blue enamel dial set off by white gold hands, applied indexes and numerals, as well as an Audemars Piguet signature in enamel. The soundwave caseback design is inspired by the watch’s exceptional acoustics.
Discover Audemars Piguet at the Audemars Piguet Boutique on G Floor, Central Embassy. Tel. 02-160-5838
