BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
Last year during SIHH, Audemars Piguet launched the Code 11.59 collection showing that there was more to the brand outside of the famed Royal Oak watches. While the new watches faced severe criticism from the watch world, the brand seems to be determined to take things further with this new collection and has recently added a total of 10 new Code 11.59 watches to its catalog. There are five three-hand variations and five chronographs on offer and all the watches feature colorful sunburst dials with a striking degrade effect.
Chronograph Variations
Let’s begin by talking about the chronographs. Featuring a tri-register setup, applied hour markings, a printed minute track, and a tachymeter scale on the outer periphery and a date window between 4 and 5, the layout on the Code 11.59 chronograph watches does not see any changes. It remains clean clutter-free and highly legible like before. But what makes these new 2020 versions special are the bold color choices Audemars Piguet has made. There are five colorways to choose from, with something for everyone. Opt for the silver and charcoal grey in case you want something dressy or go with funkier smoked purple, red, or blue in case you are the casual kind.
Regardless of the choice all the colors feature a nice sunburst finish and showcase a nice gradient effect (except for the silver dial) to offer a striking visual experience. The 41 mm case still looks the part with its unique design that includes details such as the angular mid-case and skeletonized lugs. It has been presented in either white or red gold, or a combination of the two.
Furthermore, powering these watches is the brand’s relatively new in-house caliber 4401. This is an integrated chronograph with a column wheel and a flyback function. It operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and offers a power reserve of around 70 hours. The movement can be enjoyed looking at through the exhibition case back.
Three-hand Variations
The three-hand watches like the chronographs do not see any changes in the dial layout. You still get applied hour markers that are a combination of batons and numerals at 3, 6, 9 and 12, a printed minute track, a date between 4 and 5, and a secondary minute scale with numerals on the outer periphery.
But once again like the real deal here is the new smoked dial colors which also happen to be the same as found on the chronographs. The case silhouette does not see any change and on this instance measures 41mm in diameter, with a thickness of just 10mm. The choice of material on the case ranges from white gold to red gold or two-tone.
Driving the three-hand watches is the brand’s in-house calibre 4302 that is visible through the exhibition case back and features an instant-jump date along with a 22-carat oscillating weight.
All watches would come attached to matching real alligator straps with a gold pin buckle. Prices have yet to be revealed, so we will update this space once we have the relevant information.
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