Audemars Piguet dropped some crazy new Royal Oaks this month, and whilst they did take the spotlight, there were other releases too. Seven new watches were added to the Code 11.59 collection, which this year celebrates its fifth anniversary.
Over the last five years, AP has been slowly refining the Code 11.59 collection by playing with a number of different variables, such as materials, complications and colours. It appears this process is far from over as there is a real variety of options available in the collection, some of which are so similar that they almost appear to overlap.
The brand has also increased its Code 11.59 production from around 2,000 pieces in 2020 to over 5,000 in 2023, which represents around 10 percent of its total production output, currently sitting at around 55,000 pieces annually.
Code 11.59 Selfwinding Ref. 77410OR 38 mm
The first of the new Code 11.59s is the 38 mm Ref. 77410, which comes in the form of two different options. Both are housed in 18-carat rose gold cases and feature the self-winding calibre 5900, which has also been seen in Royal Oak models.
Both options are what AP describes as radically opposed shades of blue, with the first displaying a luminous blue dial with a stamped motif, and the other a ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ dial with a stamped motif. Both models also feature large-square alligator straps that are colour-coded to match the dials. Rubber versions are also available.
My personal take is certainly the Bleu Nuit as I find dark colours better complement the 18-carat rose gold case on the Code 11.59. As well as this, it is the same classic shade of blue used in the original Royal Oak Ref. 5402ST, which is a staple from AP.
38mm case in 18-carat rose gold, water resistant to 30 meters.
Powered by calibre 5900 with 60 hours of power reserve. Retail price: EUR 33,800.
Code 11.59 Selfwinding Ref. 15210OR 41 mm
AP also brought out new additions to the Code 11.59 41 mm Ref. 15210. Once again, this addition is in the form of just two different variations, both of which are cased in 18-carat rose gold and feature self-winding calibre 4302, which has a neat 70 hours of power reserve – ten hours more than its smaller sibling.
The first model also comes with a classic ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ stamped motif dial, while the second model has a dark olive green stamped motif dial. Both of these models come standard on matching rubber coated textured straps, which give them a sporty and youthful look.
41 mm case in 18-carat rose gold, water resistant to 30 meters.
Powered by calibre 4302 with 70 hours of power reserve. Retail price: EUR 35,000.
Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph Ref. 26393OR 41 mm
Last but certainly not least are the additions to the Code 11.59 41 mm chronograph line, Ref. 26393, which is powered by the date driving flyback chronograph calibre 4401, also seen in the latest generation of Royal Oak chronographs.
Once again, the two models come in 18-carat rose gold with either a ‘Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50’ stamped motif dial or a dark olive green stamped motif dial.
There is, however, also the addition of a third version, this time in black ceramic with the bezel, lugs and pushers in 18-carat rose gold. The watch also features a crown made from black ceramic and 18-carat rose gold as well as a black motif dial. All models come standard with matching rubber coated textured straps.
41 mm cases in 18-carat rose gold and black ceramic, water resistant to 30 meters.
Powered by calibre 4401 with 70 hours of power reserve. Retail price: EUR 49,100.
The Code 11.59 collection has never been short of controversy, that’s for sure. With all the new variants we have seen over the last five years, my preference has always been firmly supportive of the more complicated ones, from the new Flyback Chronographs all the way to the RD#4. I find that these models bring much more depth to the Code 11.59 than the regular Selfwinding models because at times, or indeed angles, the Code 11.59 can seem minimal in its design – particularly face on. The extra sauce that a complication brings is therefore always welcome in my eyes. Nonetheless, let’s see what the future holds for the Code 11.59, and in which direction Audemars Piguet chooses to take it.
