Like last year, fake Audemars Piguet’s CODE 11.59 series broke many boundaries, but everyone knows that for Audemars Piguet, the series is still not the star of the show. But does that mean it can’t be an iconic part of the watchmaker’s future portfolio?
Audemars Piguet has a long history; it was one of the earlier players in the game, having been in watchmaking since 1875. Over the years, the watch company has been committed to experimentation and innovation, achieving the achievement of creating the world’s first minute repeater movement. Used in watches (1892).
It was followed by the ultra-complex Universelle model (1899), which was equipped with a split-seconds chronograph, jumping and non-jumping seconds, grand strike, minute repeater, alarm and perpetual calendar. AP also developed the world’s first skeleton watch (1934) and the world’s first perpetual calendar watch (1955) with a leap year display, day of the week, peripheral date, month and moon phase.
However, around the ’70s, the brand started to stick with certain successful, sportier product lines that would remain a leader in the 21st century. This brings us to 2020 CODE 11.59 from Audemars Piguet. Launched for the first time only last year, these watches are part of the classic collection compared to the watchmaker’s most recent bestsellers. The renewed focus on classic dress best fake watches and a major investment in a still very young collection begs the question – could Audemars Piguet’s CODE 11.59 be another defining piece in Le Brassus’ powerful manufacturing history?
Why create Audemars Piguet’s CODE 11.59?
In the past ten years, Audemars Piguet’s popularity has increased year by year. According to CEO François-Henry Bennahmias, who we spoke to last year, Audemars Piguet probably sells more watches in every market in the world than they (currently 40,000) ) by 50%. In this sense, Audemars Piguet focuses its strategy on exclusivity. “Volume is guiding everything we do,” Bennahmias said. “If we control the quantity, we can control the integrity and quality of the delivery.”
According to Bennahmias, “Audemars Piguet’s main reason for launching CODE 11.59 is to advance the brand’s history.” This includes not only looking back at the details of past creations, but also aiming to highlight its ability to innovate – something AP has accumulated over the past 145 years of extensive experience. For example, Audemars Piguet ruthlessly produced the thinnest self-winding perpetual calendar in the world during the quartz crisis, when countless watchmakers went out of business.
However, the creativity doesn’t stop at the complexity, and the aesthetics have also been reflected in past designs, from the asymmetrical case to the octagonal diamond-set bracelet watch. The CODE 11.59 collection is designed to represent this relentless drive for innovation in any form – while keeping in mind that the collection must be timeless.
The CODE 11.59 watch took no less than seven years as a concept. This shows the depth and consideration behind the design of the watch. As Bennahmias tells us, these timepieces are made to impress: “We want people to look at Audemars Piguet’s CODE 11.59 from a watchmaking point of view and say: ‘respect'”.
Perhaps most important of all is the meaning behind the collection’s name, which shows the strategic thinking behind the watch:
Challenge – Challenge the limits of craftsmanship
Owned – our roots and legacy
Dare – stick to firm beliefs
Evolution – never stagnate
11.59 – The last minute before a new day
The collection itself: from 2019 to 2020
As mentioned, Audemars Piguet’s CODE 11.59 collection only came out last year, when it was unveiled at the “International Salon des Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) 2019” to undeniably mixed reviews. A total of 13 models of six watches were presented: two self-winding and chronograph self-winding watches, one perpetual calendar, two watches with tourbillons – skeleton tourbillon and self-winding Flying tourbillon, in addition to the minute repeater Supersonnerie. Automatic, chronograph and tourbillon versions also mark the launch of three new movements.
This year, the brand launched five new self-winding watches, as well as five new chronograph self-winding watches. It’s unclear if we can expect to see more complex models, but if we do, does this help us gauge the reception of other CODE 11.59 releases from last year?
2020: New version, new design?
Honestly, the 2020 CODE 11.59 watch isn’t too different from its 2019 predecessor. However, the new dial colors and case materials are definitely worth a look. The smoky lacquered dial features a sunburst pattern and is available in blue, burgundy and purple as well as light or dark grey. fake audemars piguet watches
The inner bezel is black or grey, adding a layer of depth to the already colourful dial. In some versions, such as purple or a certain degree of burgundy, the sunburst pattern has all but disappeared due to the deep color of the dial. However, in other versions, such as the blue dial version, the light and dark blue hues look very beautiful in sunlight. The grey dial, meanwhile, showcases the sunburst pattern particularly well, but at first glance appears whiter than grey – arguably more of a feminine option.
At this point, the new colors definitely favor the brand’s unisex designs – Bennahmias describes Audemars Piguet’s CODE 11.59 as “not a men’s watch, not a women’s watch, but a watch.” Watch the bold purple, silver and burgundy It will be interesting to see if the watch is more popular with women or men. After all, the collection marks the first time the brand has consciously created a collection for both men and women.
Unlike last year’s CODE 11.59 watch, some new versions mix things up by combining a vivid dial with a two-tone gold case. Four light grey and dark grey dial variants combine an 18-karat rose gold middle case with an 18-karat white gold bezel, lugs and caseback. Interestingly, the applied hour markers and hands match the middle case material rather than the bezel, which certainly accentuates the two-tone aspect of the watch from every angle. Whether this combination actually works is arguably a matter of taste. It should also be noted that while Audemars Piguet confidently calls the collection “timeless”, there is no doubt that two-tone watches will fall out of favor sooner or later.
Also, the two-tone case is important from a collector’s point of view. The two-tone gold case is extremely rare in the history of Audemars Piguet. Having said that, they are gradually becoming more common, and these two gold combinations seem to be something that watch houses are now preparing to use more frequently. fake swiss watches
Interestingly, there was a two-tone CODE 11.59 last year – the Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 Tourbillon Openworked Only Watch Edition in white and rose gold. It sells for no less than one million Swiss francs. Second, the acclaimed [Re]master01 self-winding chronograph released earlier this year features an unusual combination of rose gold and stainless steel. Both AP watches could be a key factor in the launch of the two-tone CODE 11.59 this year.
Meanwhile, the remaining six watches use only one case material—otherwise it would be confusing because of the bright, bold dial colors. The Burgundy Dial watch features an 18-karat white gold case, while the purple and blue versions feature an 18-karat rose gold case. Applied hour markers and hands match the case material. On this note – the Arabic numerals are inspired by the minute repeater time of the 1940s – a nod to the brand’s roots.
CODE 11.59: Highlights
As mentioned, Audemars Piguet claims that the launch of the CODE 11.59 series is a desire to showcase the manufacturer’s long tradition of experimentation in design. Perhaps this is why this watch took more than five years to create. This watch explores several new and innovative watchmaking methods, from its unique case shape to the unusual layering method used for dial markings.
Case: “Natural classic, unconventional design”
The case of the CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet, with its juxtaposed geometric figures, is the signature feature of the Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 watch. According to Bennahmias, the team went through about 25 different designs, as well as many different interior and exterior designers, before settling on the “round” case design.
The three-piece case of the Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 – most easily seen on the two-tone version – is what watchmaking is all about; pushing boundaries and not afraid to experiment. The 41mm case integrates an octagonal middle case—perhaps a nod to the brand’s first octagonal watch in 1917—with a round ultra-thin bezel and stylized arched lugs. As mentioned earlier, the two-tone version will definitely draw attention to this unusual design, which may be missed at first glance.
The lugs of the case require a new production process that differs from traditional case making. The hollow lugs are hand-soldered from solder paste and have five different shafts. First, they are welded to the upper bezel to keep the octagonal middle case out of sight. Second, the upper lugs are welded to the ultra-thin bezel, while the bottom lugs simply rest against the caseback. Let’s see what this measurement looks like in real life: it leaves enough room for a piece of paper to slip into the gap between the case and the lugs, essentially leaving the lugs suspended in the air.
Unusually, the case material alternates between beveled, satin-brushed and polished parts. This is no small feat thanks to the angularity of the case and the variety of rounded surfaces. Therefore, Audemars Piguet uses a highly specialized team of six polishers and five sanding specialists. What’s more, the polisher’s job is more complicated due to the details of the case itself – parts can’t even be altered slightly, as this would affect the calibration of the watch.
All in all, the unusual combination of the round case (which is somehow octagonal at the same time) is not only unique, but a key element in how the CODE 11.59 will become a piece with its own identity in the future. It’s also been designed to be a functional case – it’s designed to fit perfectly with any wrist size thanks to its curved design. fake audemars piguet royal oak watches