Launching a whole new watch family at once is a pretty big undertaking. But that's precisely what Audemars Piguet has dared to do, releasing 13 models in one go.
The Swiss brand's return to round watches has culminated in the CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection, only available at its boutique in Central Embassy. Designed for both men and women, the new watch family may go by a striking name, but it's the discreet details that elevate the CODE 11.59 from its classic round counterparts.
The case construction, for instance, is a rendezvous between a round case and an octagonal middle case. The upper part of the openworked lugs is welded to the bezel while the lower part leans directly against the caseback. New processes were developed to solder the lugs to the extremely thin surface.
White gold selfwinding chronograph driven by Calibre 4401.
Normally found on calibres, finishing techniques enhance the aesthetics of the 41mm case, bezel and lugs. A double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal with an arched profile renders legibility and a contemporary look. The glass's internal surface is shaped like a dome while its external surface is vertically curved from 6 to 12 o'clock. The optical crystal plays with depth, perspective and light that brings out the beauty of the detailed work on the dial.
Audemars Piguet engineers did not overlook the logo in making it a conversation piece. Made of thin layers of gold, the topography is achieved through a chemical process akin to 3D 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 the tiny legs almost invisible to the eye.
The raised 3D-logo appears on the CODE 11.59 self-winding and chronograph models, whose variations differ in the white gold or pink gold case and the colour of the lacquered dial. Other details include gold thread with a meticulous finishing circling counters on the pink gold chronograph. New in-house movements have also been developed for three members of CODE 11.59. The self-winding watch is powered by Calibre 4302 and the selfwinding chronograph by Calibre 4401 -- both offering a power reserve of 70 hours.
The latter features an instant-jump date indication, integrated column wheel chronograph and flyback function that enables it to restart the chronograph without stopping and resetting it first.
The third new movement is dedicated to the self-winding flying tourbillion, whose dial is adorned with "Grand Feu" enamel in smoked blue or black on the white-gold and pink-gold versions. The Calibre 2950 features a central rotor and a flying tourbillion as well as an openworked oscillating weight.
The other three complications include perpetual calendar, tourbillion openworked and minute repeater supersonnerie that further showcase Audemars Piguet's craftsmanship and technical expertise.
