Inspiration blooms, contrasts Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Automatic Winding Chronograph

April 2020 – Swiss luxury watchmaking brand Audemars Piguet never stops, launching two new groundbreaking CODE 11.59 series self-winding chronographs, combining 18K white gold, rose gold and black ceramic. Combining bold and innovative aesthetics with meticulous craftsmanship, the new two-tone timepiece elevates the crafting and hand-finishing of multi-structured cases to new heights.

The dial of the new self-winding chronograph of the Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 series is made of new material combinations and finishes, showing many details of the timepiece. The design team has once again pushed the limits to meet new technical challenges, with a black ceramic case middle layer and precious metal, bezel, lugs, and the dial is treated with a vertical satin finish, which perfectly matches the delicate brushed finish of the case. ” – Sofia Candeias, Director of Product and Design Management, Audemars Piguet

Combination of black ceramics and precious metals

The two new CODE 11.59 self-winding chronographs feature a very contemporary two-tone design. The bezel, lugs and case back are made of 18K white or rose gold, while the middle of the octagonal case is made of black ceramic. The case production combines modern advanced technology and long tradition. The production process is quite complex, including machine processing and manual finishing, which must be completed by highly specialized personnel using special tools.

The middle layer of the ceramic case is made by Replica  Audemars Piguet in collaboration with Bangerter. Bangort is a Swiss family-owned company specializing in precision components from advanced ceramics, tungsten carbide and other superhard materials. The production of the middle layer of the CODE 11.59 self-winding chronograph case follows a complex process: zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) powder is first mixed with a binder, the exact composition of which is still the company’s trade secret. The first processing procedure uses the latest generation of five-axis CNC machine technology to process the raw material, make it a preliminary shape, and then remove the binder. The case parts are hardened by sintering at high temperatures of about 1,400°C, but for ceramics, the biggest challenge is that the material shrinks by about 25% during the sintering process. It is then hard-machined with high-precision diamond tools, the geometric surfaces are pre-polished and satin-finished, and then hand-finished by trained specialists.

The ceramic and gold case parts of the Replica  Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 series watch are treated with Audemars Piguet’s signature polished and satin-finished interlacing, with meticulous hand-finishing to achieve the rounded corners of the gold and ceramic components. Perfect harmony between angular surfaces. Dual textures and hand-finishing complement each other for superb light and shadow effects.

Lacquered dial for a contemporary look

Both the 18K rose gold and white gold models feature a superb smoky dark grey lacquered dial with a vertical satin-brushed finish that echoes the delicate satin-brushed finish of the case. The black lacquered chronograph sub-dial and inner bezel give further depth to the dial, subtly echoing the octagonal case middle layer in black ceramic. 18K rose gold or white gold hour markers and hands, echoing the ultra-thin bezel and lugs, add a touch of color to the watch.

Calibre 4401 chronograph movement with flyback

The two new self-winding chronographs are powered by Audemars Piguet’s in-house Calibre 4401 movement, with an integrated column wheel and flyback function, allowing you to restart timing without pressing the stop and reset buttons. Both watches feature self-winding movements with a 70-hour power reserve and are water-resistant to 30 meters, meeting the lifestyle of the modern wearer.

The Calibre 4401 self-winding self-produced movement is equipped with a vertical clutch system to prevent the hands from jumping when the chronograph is started or stopped, and is equipped with a patented zero reset mechanism to ensure that each chronograph sub-dial pointer can be accurately reset to zero.

Through the sapphire crystal case back, the normally invisible timing components can be clearly observed, giving the movement a unique and refined aesthetic. The column wheel and the “dancing” chrono reset hammer are all at a glance*. The movement adopts the 22K rose gold oscillating weight uniquely designed by the CODE 11.59 series, and is hand-finished with “Geneva pattern”, “brushed polishing” and “pearl dot pattern”, which can be seen through the sapphire crystal case back.

When the reset button is pressed, the chronograph reset hammer will hit the core cam of the chronograph mechanism driven by the lever, and drive the column wheel and chronograph hands to reset to zero.

Contemporary, superbly textured rubber-covered strap

Both self-winding chronographs are paired with a black clad strap, that is, a rubber coating on the calfskin inner surface. The strap features a unique texture for a contemporary feel.

The strap is perfectly integrated with the skeletonized lugs welded to the ultra-thin bezel, highlighting the superb hand-finishing of the two-tone case.

“Born in Le Brassus, raised around the world.”

technical parameter

Replica  Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 Automatic Chronograph // Diameter 41 mm
26393NR.OO.A002CR.01

Function: Flyback chronograph function, hours, minutes, small seconds, date display.
Case: Black ceramic case middle, 18K rose gold bezel, lugs, caseback, crown and pushers, double-curved anti-glare sapphire crystal, anti-glare sapphire crystal case back, water-resistant to 30 Meter.
Dial: Smoked grey lacquered dial with vertical satin-brushed finish, rose gold indexes and hands, black lacquered inner bezel and outer chronograph sub-dial.
Strap: Black rubber strap with 18K rose gold pin buckle.
Movement: Calibre 4401 self-winding in-house movement; overall diameter 32 mm (14 lignes); overall thickness 6.8 mm; number of parts 367; number of jewels 40; minimum guaranteed power reserve 70 hours; times/hour)

Replica  Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 Automatic Chronograph // Diameter 41 mm
26393NB.OO.A002CR.01

Function: Flyback chronograph function, hours, minutes, small seconds, date display.
Case: Black ceramic case middle, 18K white gold bezel, lugs, caseback, crown and pushers, double-curved anti-glare sapphire crystal, anti-glare sapphire crystal case back, water-resistant to 30 meters .
Dial: Smoked grey lacquered dial with vertical satin-brushed finish, white gold indexes and hands, black lacquered inner bezel and outer chronograph sub-dial.
Strap: Black rubber strap with 18K white gold pin buckle.
Movement: Calibre 4401 self-winding in-house movement; overall diameter 32 mm (14 lignes); overall thickness 6.8 mm; number of parts 367; number of jewels 40; minimum guaranteed power reserve 70 hours; times/hour)