Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 Starwheel: A Collector's Perspective on Its Distinctive Design

Key Points from the Discussion

• The dark, oversized discs, initially a point of contention for some, are actually complementary to the dark ceramic components, creating a cohesive aesthetic when viewed from different angles.
• The CODE 11.59 case design, with its ceramic walls wrapping into the black inner bezel and suspended within a white gold frame, evokes a sense of 'captured outer space' on the wrist, an emotion difficult to convey through photographs alone.
• The CODE 11.59 case is ideally suited for atypical dials and complications like the Starwheel, contrasting with earlier, more traditional dials that felt like a 'programmatic non-fit' for the innovative case architecture.
• The Starwheel reference incorporates numerous special details, including a novel movement, ceramic components, an aventurine dial, precious metal, a skeletonized case, a domed crystal, and an automatic movement, contributing to its desirability.
• While the initial CODE 11.59 series faced a challenging reception, subsequent iterations with new dials and models, such as the Starwheel, have significantly enhanced the collection's appeal.
• The Starwheel complication was a fitting and anticipated development for the CODE 11.59 case, which many collectors, including the author, believed was the perfect platform for such a display since its launch.
• The watch's ergonomics are excellent, with short, downward-angled lugs that sit comfortably within the edges of the wrist.
• There is anticipation for future CODE 11.59 releases, including new material combinations like tantalum suspended in titanium, which could further expand the collection's innovative appeal.