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.
To mark Bulgari's 140th anniversary, the Manufacture is presenting new Octo Finissimo with a "Sketch" dial. In March 2022, Bulgari presented a "Sketch" dial for the first time as a limited edition. The three-hand watch and chronograph celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Octo Finissimo and featured a sketched design study by Product Creation Executive…
When Mark Zuckerberg announced on 28 October 2021 that the parent company Facebook would be renamed Meta with immediate effect, not only Facebook but also Zuckerberg seemed to have undergone a transformation. From now on, ‘Zuck’ played it cool. He replaced his long-time signature look – a grey t-shirt paired with blue jeans – with…
Swiss watch start-up Norqain earned a spot in the display windows of the prestigious retailer Wempe in remarkably little time. Our editor Joern F. Kengelbach explores this through the lens of the latest 2024 Wempe Signature Collection, created in collaboration with none other than this rising watch start-up, which has been making waves in recent…
Were you aware that Richard Mille has its own Certified Pre-Owned boutique in the heart of London? More often than not, the answer to this question, regrettably, is ‘no’. Always ones to keep our noses to the ground, we at Swisswatches were keen to visit this elusive yet highly impressive store, where a certain specialist…
After the recently launched Premier, Georges Kern continues to hold on to the rich heritage of BREITLING strongly. So strong, that now a 60-year-old watch was re-editioned almost unchanged. You don’t get to see that very often in the watch industry, in which brands indeed regularly introduce new interpretations of older models, but rarely present…
Today at Baselworld 2018, the watch manufacture Breguet and the Race for Water Foundation announced their partnership with a special exhibition on the Swatch Group Plaza in Basel, which is also open from today. Marc A. Hayek, President of Montres Breguet and Marco Simeoni, President of the Race for Water Foundation have been personally attending to…
Editor Catherine Bishop discovers the timepieces setting new standards for the Swiss watch industry; gains insights from Breitling’s Global Head of Sustainability into the company’s lab-grown diamonds; and recounts a trip to a castle with new Breitling envoy, Hereditary Princess Cleo von Oettingen. A night out with Breitling and Cleo’s Midnight Tales Close to the…
Bulgari and disruptive innovation – do they go together? After speaking with Jonathan Brinbaum from Bulgari at Watches & Wonders 2025, I believe they absolutely do. Add a touch of dolce vita and Italian elegance, and the picture becomes complete. Founded in Rome in 1884 by Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari, the brand – now part…
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet is one of those models whose true character only comes to light at second or third glance. This also explains why, upon its launch in 2019, the collection didn't exactly get off to a smooth start. Far too many jumped the gun, without giving the newcomer the chance to introduce…
Rolex is presenting its new releases for this year at Watches & Wonders 2025. Highlights include a left-handed GMT-Master II with a green dial, revised Oyster Perpetual models, and several new dials. This year's star of the show, however, is a completely new model: the Land-Dweller, housing several innovations in the movement. Land-Dweller: new model,…
There is good reason behind us dedicating an article to the 5960. For one thing, it was the very first model from Patek Philippe to combine an annual calendar with a chronograph. Secondly, despite the fact that it is indeed somewhat the odd one out, it’s ultimately a much sportier piece than any other calendar…
The perpetual calendar: a historic mechanism that dates back as early as 1695, first appearing within a clock. But it was the renowned watchmaker Thomas Mudge who first put it onto the wristwatch map, creating a perpetual calendar movement for his No. 525 watch in 1762. Over a century later, the then-‘LeCoultre & Cie’ developed its first…
While many Swiss brands have been around for over a century, Roger Dubuis is not amongst them. In fact, the highly exclusive brand was founded less than three decades ago, back in 1995. Perhaps this is one reason for the brand producing some of the most striking, even outrageous horological creations out there. In its…