Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon, with Aventurine Enamel Dial

After the inaugural launch of its new and important Code 11.59 collection last year, Audemars Piguet is now playing with the existing models and is “spicing up” the looks to give this modern interpretation of a classic watch some appeal. We’ve seen it, for instance, on the time-and-date and chronograph versions, fitted with smoked dials. Now it’s time for one of the Haute Horlogerie watches to get a visual update. Here are the new Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillons, with Aventurine Enamel Dials.

Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet was not only an entirely new collection and the brand’s take on a modern classic watch, but it was also the vehicle for unprecedented movements, such as a new time-and-date automatic and the long-awaited integrated automatic chronograph. In addition to these two core collection engines, the brand also introduced the impressive Flying Tourbillon Chronograph and a new Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon, again with a novel movement. First presented in white gold with a smoked blue enamel dial and in rose gold with an inky black enamel dial, two new references are introduced today combining the refinement of enamel with the shimmering of aventurine glass for a unique effect of a star-lit sky.

The process used on these new Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon is relatively complex and again, while using traditional techniques, results in a modern design – just like, for instance, the ultra-complex dials by Anita Porchet found on the new Grande Sonnerie Carillon Supersonnerie. Here, AP’s dial makers have covered the solid gold dial with a blend of crushed aventurine glass and Grand Feu enamel. A very thin layer of glass sand mixed with water is applied by hand on the crushed aventurine glass and then heated at more than 800°C in a special kiln. The procedure is repeated multiple times to achieve transparency, depth and light. Each baking session necessitates different temperatures and times.

Two versions of this Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon with Aventurine Enamel dials will be available. The first one comes in an 18k white gold case, with matching markers/numerals and hands, and a sparkling blue dial. On this version, the cold shades of blue on the dial are enhanced with a smoked effect. This gradation is achieved by incorporating blue and black aventurine glass into the enamel. Here, the tourbillon cage at 6 o’clock is rhodium plated and so is the oscillating weight on the movement side.

The second version of this new Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet is warmer and darker. The case, hands and markers are done in 18k pink gold, a colour that is also found on the tourbillon and the oscillating weight. The uniform black tone of the dial is more discreet, but it produces a stronger shimmering effect.

Other than these new dials and materials, these versions of the Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon retain all the elements of previous models, meaning a complex 41mm case with a round bezel, hollowed lugs and the hallmark AP octagonal central container. The case is finished with beautiful details; the surfaces are mostly brushed with polished accents to emphasise its architecture. It is topped by a complex double curved sapphire crystal.

Visible through the sapphire caseback is the in-house calibre 2950, a movement that was first introduced in this collection and that combines a flying tourbillon – an architecture that was first used by AP in 2018, in the ROC – and automatic winding. The movement, entirely decorated with Haute Horlogerie techniques (here with straight Geneva stripes), is large and modern. It beats at 3Hz and boasts a comfortable power reserve of 65 hours.

Availability & Price

Both watches are worn on hand-stitched large square scale alligator straps and closed by a gold AP-shaped folding clasp. The new Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon with aventurine enamel dial are boutique exclusive models, not limited in production. The price will be CHF 133,000 (excl. taxes)

More details at www.audemarspiguet.com.