Audemars Piguet Code 11.59
When Audemars Piguet introduced their Code 11.59 collection in 2019, the watchmaking world was paying close attention. Audemars Piguet is well-known for their Royal Oak watch, which practically defined what a luxury sports watch would be. Code 11.59 represents a new chapter for Audemars Piguet, and the famous Swiss manufacture did not disappoint. Code 11.59 is a modern interpretation of the traditional round watch with a bevy of styles and complications available. From its distinctive lugs to its contemporary double-curved sapphire crystal, the Code 11.59 is a distinctly modern horological experience.
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Flying Tourbillon
The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph (26399BC.OO.D321CR.01) is a tour de force from the famed Le Brassus manufacture. To understand what a flying tourbillon is, it is best to start with an understanding of the traditional tourbillon. A tourbillon (French for “whirlwind”) is a mechanism in a mechanical watch that constantly rotates the regulating organ (balance wheel and hairspring) as the regulating organ oscillates. The reason for this is to average out the effects that gravity causes on the rate of a watch. If you measured the rate of a watch without a tourbillon in one position, it would likely be slightly different in another, which is a problem.
The tourbillon brings definite isochronal benefits to mechanical watch movements but is a very complicated mechanism to manufacture and adjust. Many people like to admire the complicated mechanics of the tourbillon, but it can be difficult to observe as it is often obscured by bridges that hold the watch movement together. This is where the flying tourbillon comes into the picture. A flying tourbillon is anchored on only one side, as opposed to having a bearing on its top and bottom. This allows anyone to see the tourbillon mechanism more clearly without any bridges blocking the view. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph is a mesmerizing watch to observe.
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar
The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar (26394OR.OO.D321CR.01) features an incredible dial that makes the watch look as if it were floating in the stars. This is perfectly appropriate for the astronomical complication known as the perpetual calendar, which keeps track of the day, date, month, leap year and moon phase. At 12 o’clock, the watch features a subdial that indicates both the current month of the year and the leap year. Two coaxially mounted gold hands stand out in contrast from the dark blue starry aventurine dial. At 3 o’clock, a subdial indicates the current day of the month. At 6 o’clock, a moon phase display tells the wearer the current synoptic period of the moon, all while in keeping with the starry-night aesthetic of the watch. And at 9 o’clock, a subdial indicates the day of the week. The perpetual calendar complication is a fantastically complicated mechanism that is displayed in a simple and effective way on the beautiful dial of this very special Code 11.59.
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Minute Repeater Supersonnerie
What if you wanted to know the time in the middle of the night without turning on a light? Or what if you wanted to know the time without obviously looking at your watch? A minute repeater solves these problems for you by audibly chiming the time on demand. The chiming mechanism works by striking miniaturized gongs inside the watch with small hammers controlled by the movement. The result is a pleasing sound, much like you would hear from the bells in a church tower. A common issue with many minute repeater watches is the volume of their chimes. Audemars Piguet made a huge step toward solving this problem in 2016, when it introduced its patented supersonnerie technology.
The major innovation with supersonnerie was the idea to mount the gongs on the inside of the case rather than attach them to the movement. This causes the entirety of the case to resonate with the sound and be much louder for those wishing to hear it. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Minute Repeater Supersonnerie (26395BC.OO.D321CR.01) is the first Code 11.59 watch to include this amazing technology. The result is an exceptionally clear minute repeating sound, housed in the contemporary 11.59 case. This is a watch that is sure to catch people’s attention, or their ears!
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Pricing and Availability
Because the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 is a relatively recent collection of watches, there is not a huge supply of them on the preowned market. That being said, there are some examples of resales that can be used to establish market prices. A stunning purple example of the Code 11.59 (15210OR.OO.A616CR.01) with a gold case and exhibition caseback recently sold. This watch is an example of the special dial versions of the Code 11.59, which sell in the range of $25,000. Another example of the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 (15210OR.OO.A002CR.01) with black dial and white gold case sold recently. This watch is an example of the base model of the Code 11.59, which sells on the preowned market in the range of $15,000.