Le Brassus, February 2023 – Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet presents six new references of its Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding and Selfwinding Chronograph in 41 mm that have been created for the very first time in stainless steel. Four models come entirely in steel, while the other two combine a black ceramic case middle with a steel bezel, lugs and case back. In addition to this new material, these timepieces feature a new aesthetic that emphasizes both ergonomics and legibility as well as introduces new dials with a pattern that has been specifically created for the collection. This new evolution in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection continues to stand at the crossroads between technical modernity and ancestral craftsmanship.
“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
A new contemporary material joins the collection
Since its launch in 2019, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection has been available primarily in 18-carat white or pink gold. In 2021 and 2022, the manufacture integrated a black or blue ceramic case middle on certain gold models, giving them a highly contemporary design. This year, stainless steel makes its debut in the collection, with four of the six models made entirely from stainless steel and the other two coming in steel and black ceramic with beige dials, creating an elegant and aesthetic contrast.
Already present in other collections, steel is far less malleable than gold. The Manufacture was able to draw upon its machining and finishing expertise to design and produce the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet cases in this new material.
Featuring a complex architecture composed of stylized tumbled lugs, an ultra-thin bezel, and an octagonal case middle, the case of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet is one of the most complicated ever made by the Manufacture. Combining cutting-edge technology and ancestral traditions, the industrialization of the case and the hand-finishing of its components require arduous programming, dedicated tools and highly specialized human skills. The designers, engineers and artisans have therefore pushed the limits of their know-how even further in order to create these steel elements. In keeping with Audemars Piguet tradition, the stainless steel components alternate between polished and satin-finished surfaces, playing with the light and providing captivating visual contrasts.
A dial with an original design
These six new 41 mm references inaugurate a brand-new stamped dial with a pattern specially developed for the occasion. Made up of concentric circles that create a unique structure, this ripple pattern has a texture that has never been seen before on a Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet dial and enhances legibility. Developed by Audemars Piguet in collaboration with Swiss guilloché craftsman Yann von Kaenel, this motif provides a new signature design to the collection.
In order to stamp the dials, Yann von Kaenel undertook the extremely complex and meticulous task of creating the basic stamps, which have been engraved by hand. The pattern of waves that move outwards from the centre of the dial is decorated with hundreds of tiny holes that play with the light. The result is a myriad of details that make this decoration so rich, while at the same time paying tribute to the craftsmanship of this extremely talented artisan.
In order to further embellish the pattern, the dials are then coloured by PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) for the blue or green tones, and with a galvanic process for the beige hue. The advantage of these techniques is that they preserve and enhance the depth of the stamped pattern to maximise the play of light. They also create a colour effect that gives the illusion of the dials being smoked, even when the shade is uniform, as is the case for the green and blue references.
An aesthetic and ergonomic evolution
These new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding and Selfwinding Chronograph models introduce a new design evolution into the collection and put an emphasis on comfort and readability. Firstly, new elongated hour-markers replace the Arabic numerals that have been present in the collection since its launch. Designed in 18-carat white gold, the hour-markers and hands are flattened, faceted and polished, creating a visual contrast with the new dial pattern with its intense dark tones. To enhance the legibility, the hour-markers and hands have been coated with Super LumiNova so they can be seen in the dark.
Encircled by an ultra-thin bezel, the inner bezel has also evolved. Audemars Piguet’s designers have reduced the steepness of its angle to reduce the difference in height with the dial. It has also been widened and given a smoother bevel for added visual impact. While previous models in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection featured markers every five minutes, the new version includes a more detailed seconds scale, reinforcing the precision and modern style of the timepieces. The typography of the numerals has also been adapted.
The final changes to the collection concern the crown and the buckle. The crown is now more rounded with shallower, yet more pronounced indentations than on previous models. It is made of stainless steel and the two beige models have black ceramic caps. The bracelet’s buckle, whether pin or folding, swaps the long engraved “Audemars Piguet” signature for the AP monogram.
This design evolution will be extended to gold models and complications in the coming years.
Sober and elegant tones
The six new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet references come in three timeless shades that reinforce the collection’s elegant and intricate aesthetic. Each dial tone is paired with a matching rubber strap decorated with a textile pattern and lined with calf leather.
The “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” colour is an iconic feature of the Royal Oak collection and makes its appearance on two new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet references. On the hour, minute, second and date model, the deep blue is counterbalanced by a grey inner bezel that matches the tone of the steel and is contrasted by the white gold hour-markers and hands. The Selfwinding Chronograph model alternates between two-tone blue and grey counters at 3 and 9 o’clock and features an entirely grey small seconds counter at 6 o’clock for a legible and elegant look. Two other references are dressed in a mysterious green, leaning towards a khaki colour, with an inner bezel in the same tone. Only the rhodium-plated outer zone of the counters of the Selfwinding Chronograph model breaks the monochrome aesthetic of the timepiece.
Finally, two models have a luminous aesthetic in tones of beige. Adding depth to this light colour, the dials of both models are smoked away from the centre and become completely black towards the outer edge. The Selfwinding Chronograph model follows the same logic as the blue and green models, displaying beige counters at 3 and 9 o’clock, encircled by a black outer zone, matching the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock, which is painted in an intense black. Echoing this eye-catching two-tone aesthetic, the stainless steel case is contrasted with a black ceramic case middle and crown.
The counters of the three Selfwinding Chronograph models are lightly sandblasted, interacting with the textured undulations of the dial pattern.
Two of the latest generation calibres and a new dedicated oscillating weight
Combining watchmaking technology and traditional know-how, the six models are driven by the latest-generation movements: Calibre 4302 with a seconds and date indication and Calibre 4401, an integrated selfwinding chronograph movement with a column wheel and flyback function. Both movements are equipped with a patented mechanism that provides stability and precision when setting the watch. With a generous diameter of 32 mm, these movements also provide enhanced chronometry.
The Calibre 4401 is equipped with a vertical gear train that prevents the hands from jumping when the chronograph is activated or stopped. A patented reset mechanism ensures that each counter hand returns to its original position. The sapphire caseback reveals a myriad of refined decorations on both calibres, as well as the brand new 22-carat pink gold openworked oscillating weight dedicated to the collection.
These six new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding and Selfwinding Chronograph models, combining sobriety, refinement and technical modernity, will be available in Audemars Piguet boutiques and at selected retailers worldwide from April 2023.
“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
“Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world.”
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Technical Specifications
Calibre 4401
Calibre 4302
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding / 41 mm
Ref. 15210ST.OO.A348KB.01
Functions
- Hours, minutes, centre seconds and date.
Case
- Stainless steel case, double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal caseback, water-resistant to 30 m.
- Case thickness: 10.7 mm
Dial
- “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 dial” dial, 18-carat white gold applied hour-markers and hands with luminescence, grey inner bezel.
Strap
- Blue leather and rubber strap with stainless steel AP pin buckle.
Movement specifications
- Selfwinding Calibre 4302
- Total diameter 32 mm (14 lignes)
- Movement thickness 4.9 mm
- Number of jewels 32
- Number of parts 257
- Minimum guaranteed power reserve 70 hours
- Frequency of balance wheel 4 Hz (28 800 vibrations/hour)
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding / 41 mm
Ref. 15210ST.OO.A056KB.01
Functions
- Hours, minutes, centre seconds and date.
Case
- Stainless steel case, double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal caseback, water-resistant to 30 m.
- Case thickness: 10.7 mm
Dial
- Green dial, 18-carat white gold applied hour-markers and hands with luminescence, green inner bezel.
Strap
- Green leather and rubber strap with stainless steel AP pin buckle.
Movement specifications
- Selfwinding Calibre 4302
- Total diameter 32 mm (14 lignes)
- Movement thickness 4.9 mm
- Number of jewels 32
- Number of parts 257
- Minimum guaranteed power reserve 70 hours
- Frequency of balance wheel 4 Hz (28 800 vibrations/hour)
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding / 41 mm
Ref. 15210QT.OO.A064KB.01
Functions
- Hours, minutes, centre seconds and date.
Case
- Black ceramic case middle and crown, stainless steel case, lugs, bezel and caseback, double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case back, water resistant to 30 m.
- Case thickness: 10.7 mm
Dial
- Smoked beige dial, 18-carat white gold applied hour-markers and hands with luminescence, black inner bezel.
Strap
- Beige leather and rubber strap with stainless steel AP pin buckle.
Movement specifications
- Selfwinding Calibre 4302
- Total diameter 32 mm (14 lignes)
- Movement thickness 4.9 mm
- Number of jewels 32
- Number of parts 257
- Minimum guaranteed power reserve 70 hours
- Frequency of balance wheel 4 Hz (28 800 vibrations/hour)
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph / 41 mm
Ref. 26393ST.OO.A348KB.01
Functions
- Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date.
Case
- Stainless steel case, double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal caseback, water-resistant to 30 m.
- Case thickness: 12.6 mm
Dial
- “ Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” dial, blue counters with external grey zone, grey counter at 6 o’clock, 18-carat applied hour-markers and hands with luminescence, grey inner bezel.
Strap
- Blue leather and rubber strap with stainless steel AP pin buckle.
Movement specifications
- Selfwinding Calibre 4401
- Total diameter 32 mm (14 lignes)
- Movement thickness 6.8 mm
- Number of jewels 40
- Number of parts 381
- Minimum guaranteed power reserve 70 h
- Frequency of balance wheel 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph / 41 mm
Ref. 26393ST.OO.A056KB.01
Functions
- Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date.
Case
- Stainless steel case, double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal caseback, water-resistant to 30 m.
- Case thickness: 12.6 mm
Dial
- Green dial, green counters with rhodium-coloured outer zone, green counter at 6 o’clock, 18-carat applied hour-markers and hands with luminescence, green inner bezel.
Strap
- Green leather and rubber strap with stainless steel AP pin buckle.
Movement specifications
- Selfwinding Calibre 4401
- Total diameter 32 mm (14 lignes)
- Movement thickness 6.8 mm
- Number of jewels 40
- Number of parts 381
- Minimum guaranteed power reserve 70 h
- Frequency of balance wheel 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Chronographe Automatique / 41 mm
Ref. 26393QT.OO.A064KB.01
Functions
- Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date.
Case
- Black ceramic case middle and crown, stainless steel case, lugs, bezel and caseback, double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal case back, water resistant to 30 m.
- Case thickness: 12.6 mm
Cadran
- Smoked beige dial, beige counters with black outer zone, black counter at 6 o’clock, 18-carat applied hour-markers and hands with luminescence, black inner bezel.
Strap
- Beige leather and rubber strap with stainless steel AP pin buckle.
Movement specifications
- Selfwinding Calibre 4401
- Total diameter 32 mm (14 lignes)
- Movement thickness 6.8 mm
- Number of jewels 40
- Number of parts 381
- Minimum guaranteed power reserve 70 h
- Frequency of balance wheel 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
About Audemars Piguet
Audemars Piguet is the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families (Audemars and Piguet). Based in Le Brassus since 1875, the company has nurtured generations of talented craftspeople who have continuously developed new skills and techniques, broadening their savoir-faire to set rule-breaking trends. In the Vallée de Joux, at the heart of the Swiss Jura, Audemars Piguet has created numerous masterpieces, testament to the Manufacture’s ancestral savoir-faire and forward-thinking spirit. Sharing its passion and savoir-faire with watch enthusiasts worldwide through the language of emotions, Audemars Piguet has established enriching exchanges among fields of creative practices and fostered an inspired community. Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world. — www.audemarspiguet.com