Audemars Piguet presents six new references of its Code 11.59 Selfwinding and Selfwinding Chronograph in 41 mm that have been created for the very first time in stainless steel. Four Code 11.59 New models come entirely in steel, while the other two combine a black ceramic case middle with a steel bezel, lugs and case back.

Code 11.59 New Models

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.

The three new models displaying the hour, minute, seconds and date in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection are accompanied by three Selfwinding Chronograph models in the same colours that integrate both stainless steel and the new dial design, for the first time.

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.

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.

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.

New Dial Pattern

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.

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.

New Code 11.59 Design 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.

Striking Dial Colors

The six new 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.

Movements

Combining watchmaking technology and traditional know-how, the six new Code 11.59 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 open-worked oscillating weight dedicated to the collection.

These six new Code 11.59 models will be available in Audemars Piguet boutiques and at selected retailers worldwide from April 2023.

Technical details

Collection: Code 11.59 New Models

Model: Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding 41 mm

Movement
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)

Functions
Hours, minutes, centre seconds and date

With Steel Case and Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 dial, Reference 15210ST.OO.A348KB.01

Case
Stainless steel case, double curved glare-proofed sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal caseback, water-resistant to 30 m.
Case thickness: 10.7 mm

Dial
“Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 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.

With Steel Case and Green Dial, Reference 15210ST.OO.A056KB.01

Case
Stainless steel case
Double curved glare-proofed 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.

With Black Ceramic Case and Smoked Beige Dial, Reference 15210QT.OO.A064KB.01

 

Case
Black ceramic case middle and crown, stainless steel case, lugs, bezel and caseback
Double curved glare-proofed 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

Model: Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph

Movement
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)

Functions
Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date.

With Steel Case and Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50 Dial, Reference 26393ST.OO.A348KB.01

Case
Stainless steel case
Double curved glare-proofed 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.

With Steel Case and Green Dial, Reference 26393ST.OO.A056KB.01

Case
Stainless steel case
Double curved glare-proofed 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.

With Black Ceramic Case and Smoked Beige Dial, Reference 26393QT.OO.A064KB.01

Case
Black ceramic case middle and crown, stainless steel case, lugs, bezel and caseback
Double curved glare-proofed sapphire crystal
Sapphire crystal case back
Water resistant to 30 m
Case thickness: 12.6 mm

Dial
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.

Audemars Piguet presents a new version of its Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42 mm, housed in its first-ever black ceramic case with a matching bracelet and a black Petite Tapisserie dial.

This new Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph marks the collection’s 30th anniversary. It is equipped with Calibre 4404, an integrated chronograph movement with a flyback function.

AP Royal Oak Offshore Black Ceramic

The new reference 26238CE is the first Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore with a case and bracelet made entirely of ceramic. This material is also used for the push-pieces at 2 and 4 o’clock that operate the chronograph, as well as for the screw-locked crown at 3 o’clock.

Only the eight white gold screws attaching the bezel to the case stand out, along with the eight luminescent applied hour-markers that punctuate the hours and the titanium caseback.

The dial is dressed in the same matte black colour as the case, bracelet, push-pieces, bezel and crown. It is decorated with the Petite Tapisserie pattern, a signature motif previously reserved for the 26238 references in gold or titanium.

While past references had variations in tone, this new reference is the first to be totally monochrome in pitch black, which is particularly difficult to achieve due to the different materials and textures used.

To enhance legibility, a wide range of finishings have been developed for this timepiece. Each of the counters is accompanied by a white hand offering a distinct contrast that is further accentuated by a disc of white Arabic numerals.

Similarly, the circular date window (at 3 o’clock) and the three emblematic counters of the Royal Oak Offshore unfold around the two large luminescent hour and minute hands, small seconds at 6 o’clock, chronograph minutes at 9 o’clock and chronograph hours at 12 o’clock.

This layout keeps the famous vertical arrangement of the collection. It also follows the subtle introduction made in 2021 where the hour and small seconds counters were switched to offer a top-to-bottom reading of the elapsed hours and minutes.

The ceramic used on this timepiece has been meticulously finished to reveal its subtleties. Lines, angles and bezels are hand-finished to obtain the alternating polished and satin surfaces that are the Manufacture’s signature style.

Audemars Piguet Calibre 4404

The new integrated automatic chronograph Cal.4404 features a column wheel and flyback function that allows it to be restarted without having to first stop and reset it.

The column wheel has a vertical clutch designed to allow smooth pressure on each push-piece. When the chronograph is started or stopped, the hands immediately start moving, without any delay or unexpected jumps.

A patented reset mechanism also ensures that each chronograph hand instantly returns to its vertical starting position.

The sapphire and titanium caseback allows the wearer to admire the operation of the chronograph’s column wheel below. When the reset push-piece is pressed, the hammers, directed by a lever, strike the central cam to reset the chronograph wheels and set the hands to zero.

The wearer can also admire the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight that has been engraved with the initials AP, echoing the historic versions of the Royal Oak Offshore.

The movement also features refined finishes such as Côtes de Genève, circular graining, circular satin finishing and polished bevels.

Technical details

Model: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Selfwinding Chronograph 42 mm
Reference 26238CE.OO.1300CE.01

Case
Case, push-pieces, push-piece guards and screw-locked crown in black ceramic
Glare-proofed sapphire crystal and titanium sapphire caseback
Case diameter: 42 mm
Case thickness: 15.3 mm
Water resistant to 100 m

Dial
Black dial with Petite Tapisserie pattern, black counters, applied hour-markers, white gold Royal Oak hands with luminescent coating and black inner bezel

Movement
Self-winding Calibre 4404
Total diameter: 32 mm (14 lignes)
Total thickness: 7.95 mm
Number of parts: 433
Number of jewels: 40
Minimum power reserve guaranteed: 70 h
Frequency of balance wheel: 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)

Functions
Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date

Bracelet
Black ceramic bracelet with titanium AP folding clasp