The new variation of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph juxtaposes 18-carat pink gold and black ceramic. Following in the footsteps of its predecessor unveiled in 2021, this new timepiece is a limited edition of 50 pieces and combines contemporary design with ancestral know-how.
It comes in a two-tone black ceramic and 18-carat pink gold case that highlights the complex architecture of the collection along with the three-dimensional aesthetic of the movement.
With its contemporary design, black ceramic provides a blank canvas for the traditional skills of the Manufacture’s craftspeople. Each component is pre-polished and pre-satin-brushed before being painstakingly hand-finished with the brand’s trademark alternation of satin brushing and polished chamfers. These finishes can notably be admired on the model’s case middle, offering a fascinating interplay with the light.
The ultra-thin bezel, stylised lugs, crown and push-pieces are all crafted in 18-carat pink gold for a powerful and elegant contrast that harmoniously matches the ceramic and illuminates its dark aesthetic.
Echoing the two-tone case, the architectural movement has openworked bridges in both black and pink-gold tones, matching with the pink gold-toned balance wheel. The 18-carat white gold hands bring light into the heart of the movement, while the bridges and decorative elements feature 111 V-angles that have been sandblasted, satin-finished and polished by hand.
The decoration of the movement underlies the technical and extremely precise know-how of Audemars Piguet’s artisans. This meticulous work provides an interplay of shiny and matte finishes that create a captivating play with light reflections, bringing depth to the different levels of the movement.
The transparent chronograph counters and the flying tourbillon cage at six o’clock also reveal parts of the watch mechanism below, allowing the viewer to admire the finesse of the different decorative techniques.
Calibre 2952
Inside the watch beats the Calibre 2952, Audemars Piguet’s latest automatic movement with a hypnotic flying tourbillon and a contemporary flyback chronograph. This mechanism allows the chronograph to be reset and restarted with one push, without having to stop it first. This high-complication caliber is capable of delivering 65-hour power reserve.
The sapphire caseback reveals essential elements among the movement’s 479 components, including the 22-caratpink gold oscillating weight. The caseback also bears the engraving “Limited Edition of 50 Pieces.”
This timepiece has a water resistance of 20 metres.
Technical details
Model: Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph/ 41 mm
Reference 26399NR.OO.D002KB.01
Movement
Selfwinding Calibre 2952
Total diameter: 32.6 mm (14½ lignes)
Total thickness: 8.22 mm
Number of parts: 479
Number of jewels: 40
Minimum power reserve guaranteed: 65h
Frequency of balance wheel: 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations/hour)
Functions
Flying tourbillon, flyback chronograph, hours and minutes
Case
Black ceramic case middle
Bezel, lugs, push-pieces and crown in 18-carat pink gold
Case thickness: 13.8 mm
Case diameter: 41mm
Double-curved glare-proofed sapphire crystal
Glare-proofed sapphire caseback
Water-resistant to 20m
Dial
Black lacquered inner bezel, 18-carat white gold hands.
Strap
Black textured rubber-coated strap with 18-carat pink gold AP folding clasp
