Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar

amanico · 2019-01-26T18:10:35Z

Amanico reviews the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar from SIHH 2019. Explore its unique case, aventurine dial, and Caliber 5134 movement.

amanico

WPS member · Audemars Piguet forum

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Amanico introduces the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar, offering an initial defense of the controversial line. He focuses on the specific appeal of the Perpetual Calendar model, highlighting its unique case architecture, aventurine dial, and comprehensive calendar display from his SIHH 2019 experience.

I will soon post an article on the Code 11.59 line, which I will defend, as there are many things to say, and many positive details on this line.

But I will post here only one of them, which I find quite appealing, the Perpetual Calendar I had the pleasure to see at the Audemars Piguet booth during the SIHH.

Here you have a 41mm rose gold octogonal mid case, round bezel and case back ring, which gives an original and appealing look to the watch. The lugs are very much my taste, too. The water resistance is anecdotic, only 20 meters, which is enough when you wash your hands...

The glass is strangely shaped, I will dog out this part of the " 11.59 " as it is a common point to all the members of this line.

The dial is made in aventurine, with inclusions which shine like stars. Superb. And the perpetual calendar is complete, with the day, the date, the months, the moon phase, the leap years, and, which is not that common, the weeks, on the blue lacquered bezel.

The movement is the Cal 5134, automatic, made of 374 parts, beating at the pace of 19, 800 vibrations per hour, and offering a power reserve of only 40 hours, which is a bit short, most of all for a perpetual calendar.

More will be said during the whole presentation of the line, but I wanted to post at least one " 11.59 " which is worth some consideration.

Best,

Nicolas

Key Points from the Discussion

The Caliber 5154 in the Code 11.59 PC is compared to the 2120/2802, noting an increase in case thickness from 9mm to 10.9mm, making it thicker than the Royal Oak PC with Caliber 5134.
The lugs and three-piece mid-case design of the Code 11.59 are praised for their interesting and appealing aesthetic, drawing comparisons to FP Journe cases.
The Perpetual Calendar is considered the standout model in the Code 11.59 line, despite general controversy surrounding the collection's initial release.
Criticism is directed at the dials of the three-handers and chronographs for being too shiny and bland, with generic fonts, suggesting AP played it too safe in design.
The hands of the Code 11.59 series are a point of contention, with some finding the thin stick hands unsuitable for a modern watch and preferring styles like Breguet or Lange hands.
The double-curved sapphire crystal and the unique lugs are highlighted as particularly appealing features of the Code 11.59 line, often needing to be seen in person to be fully appreciated.

The Discussion

socabaptist

Jan 26, 2019

This is the 11:59 to get. I know this release has generated a lot of controversy. I know anytime something new comes along it can cause some distress. I love the cases and the integrated chronograph movements. The dials are where the problem lies imho but that is the easiest thing to change. The dials for the three handers and the chronographs are too shiny thus difficult to read. The dial design is bland and the fonts are too generic. I know they want it to appeal to both men and women but I th

MichaelC

Jan 26, 2019

As I have stated, I also love the case and lugs. I need to see the dials up close. The minute repeater is out of my reach, but the design is a homerun and an exceptional looking watch. I hope to like the chronograph more in person when I get to see it.

mahesh

Jan 27, 2019

not to be the RO company & they’re experimenting too - invariable of the liking to the CODE i think we should appreciate such trials. Ken Robinson said, “if you’re not prepared to be wrong, you’ll never come up with anything original” I wanted to see this family in flesh, often pictures don’t give the same feel. One thing (or two) I like the most is the double curved sapphire & the lugs ! Best, Mahesh.,

shafran

Jan 27, 2019

I agree the time only dial leaves much to be desired, but my biggest "complaint" is that I don't like the hands of this series. It is a modern watch with a simple thin stick hand. It doesn't work in my opinion and also makes it harder to read the time. There are so many better choices for the watch, including the ap ro hands. I would have preferred a modernized breguet hand or even the style that Lange uses. Just my humble opinion.

Volcano

Jan 27, 2019

Bold move from AP and executed brilliantly. The AP team around François Bennahmias did an incredible job to be able to present the new line on time. The watch will be a success. Most of the negative comments on the internet may come from competitors or people who had no chance to see the watch with their own eyes and touch it with their own hands. Kind regards, Hans

Langepedia

Jan 27, 2019

I'll save my long commentary to your article

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