By Jovan Krstevski
2025 marks the 150th anniversary for the Le Brassus-born brand and while these models aren’t tied to the anniversary, they do land right into the heart of the festivities. For the first time, both the Royal Oak and the Code 11.59 wear a perpetual calendar at 38mm. The Royal Oak strips away the week display for a more direct read, whereas the Code keeps every function in place, the taller case giving it room to breathe.
The Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar 38mm, reference 26684, is available in steel or pink gold, measuring 38mm x 9.4mm. Its counterpart in the Code 11.59 line, reference 26441, matches the diameter yet rises to 9.9mm in height. These are not mere scaled down toys but properly balanced cases, still angular and sharp, carrying the identity of each collection without compromise.
On the Royal Oak, the dial takes a pared back approach. Gone is the week indicator that first appeared in 2015, leaving the calendar displays and moon at six o’clock to breathe on a Grande Tapisserie backdrop, light blue in steel or beige-gold in pink gold.
The Code 11.59 leans the other way, keeping the week scale on a green embossed dial, with flange and subdials painted to match.
The foundation of the watch is Calibre 7136 in the Royal Oak and Calibre 7138 in the Code 11.59. Both are drawn from the 7121 base, a 4Hz automatic structure that holds 55 hours of reserve. Adjustments are carried out entirely through the crown, echoing the user friendly system first seen in the ultra thin RD#2.
The Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar 38 mm in steel, reference 26684ST.OO.1356ST.01, arrives on a matching steel bracelet and carries a retail of EUR 104,300. Its pink gold counterpart, reference 26684OR.OO.1356OR.01, is paired with a gold bracelet and is priced on request. Both sit within the permanent collection. The Code 11.59 Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar 38mm ref. 26441 carries the price tag of EUR 104,300 as well.
