GLau
[Patek Moderator]
12052
Hi AP fans, Thanks to your comments and questions on my last post, I happily :-) “forced” myself to go back to AP House to check out the code 11.59 line-up !
Left: 3rd generation , Middle: 2nd generation, Right: 1st generation
Thanks to the helpfulness and patience of the same senior sales associate Vincent whom I met previously, I was fortunate enough to inspect and compare three generations of the 11.59. The evolution of the three watches, as explained by Vincent, was interesting to me as someone new to AP.
1st generation ☝️
1st generation: Curved Sapphire crystal with a magnifying effect to enlarge the size of the dial to the eyes. This thoughtful function is welcoming for my aging eyes 😉. The dial is well balanced and carries the lineage of the Royal Oak octagon design when the watch is viewed on its side. This detail is quite smart because the code, as a new watch, has its own design and identity, while is bestowed with the heritage of its iconic RO/ROO siblings. To me, the thickness is also a feature which is well liked by AP ROO fans. It also carries a new movement.
2nd generation☝️with a stunning blue dial
2nd generation: A beautiful smoky blue dial which is mesmerizing. The rose gold case matches well with the blue dial, providing an eye-catching opulent look with elegance.
Octagon just like RO/ROO ☝️
3rd generation ☝️with brushed dial and fabric strap
Great contrast of the black ceramic with rose gold case ☝️
3rd generation: A smoky grey dial with a vertical brushed finish which adds another dimension to this new look. The big change of course is the ceramic middle ring that enhances the side-views of this watch. The two-tone effect is prominent as the contrast between the rose gold and black ceramic is highly visible, especially given the sizable thickness of the watch.
IMO, AP has meticulously instilled certain elements of its DNA (i.e. RO and ROO), such as octagon shape and thickness/wrist, into the code. This product extension apparently is gaining momentum and each generation has noticeable enhancements. The overall design is refreshing and the sizable hollow lugs add to the wrist presence. If I could pick, I would combine the smoky blue dial of the second generation with the ceramic ring of the 3rd generation. In terms of improvements, I would take out the minute markers to have a cleaner dial. Currently all the sub-dials contain the dash markers, and when they are combined with the ones for the minute markers, the dial is a bit busy.
What are your thoughts on the code ?
p.s. The AP poison ☠️ got deeper for me 🤪
More posts:
Hi AP fans, Thanks to your comments and questions on my last post, I happily :-) “forced” myself to go back to AP House to check out the code 11.59 line-up !
Left: 3rd generation , Middle: 2nd generation, Right: 1st generation Thanks to the helpfulness and patience of the same senior sales associate Vincent whom I met previously, I was fortunate enough to inspect and compare three generations of the 11.59. The...
Not good I'm afraid
Didn't know Daniel Wellington or Police watches cost so much. Sorry for me no bueno!!!
No worries: To each his/her own !
Why do you think they look like Daniel Wellington or Police watches ?
Not impressed (with the design)
The build quality, technical nature of the watch, and the movement are all impeccable but IMHO the "less is more" design strategy here has missed the mark.
Good question
And to be fair, design a new dial is HARD so maybe I’m being a bit too hard.
It's neither fish nor flesh
It's a sort of hybrid watch. It can't definitely be seen as a dress watch mostly because it's too thick, the chrono feature provides more unbalance to the dial, because of the counters and hands. And please, remove the date.
ummm...I see what you meant by the thickness not appropriate for a dress watch. To me, perhaps only two
subdials are needed to make the dial more balanced. Agree with your assessment on removal of the date.
Getting better
There are only a handful of RO collectors I know that has bought the Code and liked it, and not because they needed to get some credit. They are getting better, but I would like to see sword hands/ something with a bit more presence, and I am not a fan of...
To me, enhancements on each generation have been attained. AP must be working
hard and investing a lot to ensure its collectors accept the code.
I think photos don't do justice...
I may be biased but after seeing the blue dial and ceramic in the flesh, I must say that the dials, case, crystal, and new movement, the CODE Chronographs definitely hold a soft spot in my heart. If you see below - there seems to be a nice fit of the CODE...
Demand is definitely increasing.
To say that Ro owners are not pining for the code is possibly true, but the goal of ap was not to get ap owners interested, it was to get people interested in ap who don't necessarily love the ro/roo. It was to bring in a new breed of ap lovers. I do actu...
Great point…
I think for some RO collectors like me, it was a good brand extension that fed my appetite for the brand. I’m also glad to see de novo collectors joining in as well - I bet the new members are even more passionate than the old, like me Look forward to see...
Waiting for your “third gen” version :)
But who knows if there will be new dials or movements between now and then. I’m super happy with my blue aventurine dial so probably better to diversify into other colors… Cheers Peter
Congrats in advance in getting a code !
Which one will it be ? Look forwarding to reading your review and wrist shots !
I went with 2nd gen
It has a two tone sandwich case. Great watch for the summer and when i go down to Florida. ...
Thanks Peter for your thoughtful comments ! AP must be
happy to have collectors like you to appreciate the different aspects of the code.
Thanks…
Perhaps first time seeing it online when it was released, I was not totally bought into the concept, but after experiencing it first hand on the wrist, and also vis-a-vis other AP models and “sporty dress” models of other brands I realized it fits extreme...
Had a Look at the 1st Gen a Long while ago.
Liked the case a lot, even though it's too large for me (and judging from the pictures it seems to be too large for your wrist as well). The whole dial - index - hands configuration seemed to be very generic to me, though. Not much character there. Also n...
I think gen 2 and 3 are the same, its just that the smoked grey
has the ceramic middle case. Some of gen 2 have a two tone, white gold with rose gold middle case.
yes, I was told that
the ceramic middle case represents the third generation. What is your understanding ?
...
I'm amazed how fast they are moving and progressing in their case design and overall development.
I've yet to see a Code in person, always crucial to forming a valid impression.
The watches tv video with Michael Friedman has some great shots of it. I've also seen some tremendous pics by owners. The curved sapphire and interplay of polished and beveled surfaces in combination with the case architecture likely benefit from live vie...
would love to hear your thoughts after you have seen the code in the metal !
Do you mean AP watches are not sold in Canada ? No multi brand stores that carry AP ?
I am interested in the new WG / Ceramic model
I love the blackened ceramic case middle captured within the contrasting skeleton frame. It is a great design. Thanks for your report!
You are welcome Michael ! I enjoyed writing up this report and it was a good learning experience !
What color is the dial of the new WG / Ceramic model ?
Hmm, that is the million dollar question. If I do get a Code, it would most likely be the Perpetual Calendar with aventurine dial or the new chrono with the ceramic mid case as it looked amazing when I tried it on...
I just would have preferred the ceramic to be on the outer case to protect against scratches and the mid case to be gold. Just makes more logical sense but who am I to say what makes sense for AP 🤣😜
Haha 😂 don’t sell yourself short, AP would be happy for your input I’m sure 🙂
But Michael Friedman did say in a recent video that a ceramic outer case is not possible due to the lug architecture. Makes sense, hollow, fairly thin skeleton lugs in ceramic are too risky. I think he then hinted at some new materials in the pipeline.
It’s because the lugs only attach to the case at a single very small point
which simply wouldn’t be strong enough given that ceramic is brittle and a lug can break if subjected to a lateral impact.
I love mine and prefer the time only
as I felt the Chronograph model of the burgundy dial I bought had just too much going on for the smoked effect of the dial to fully play itself, and it was the that smoked burgundy colour that pulled me towards the Code in the first place. ...
