CODE 11:59, Concept, and Complications: Just Another Day at Audemars Piguet

Justin Mastine-Frost October 31, 2022

It’s a huge year at Audemars Piguet, as the hallowed Royal Oak is celebrating its 50th anniversary, but leave it to AP to roll out some surprises. The brand’s launch cadence has been varied over the last few years, but seeing a slew of new references drop in Q3 that aren’t part of the big anniversary festivities? This very much feels like that sort of “because we can” power play that only a legacy brand of this size and stature can get away with.

So what’s in the mix in this latest drop? Let’s get into it.

CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon

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The expansion of the CODE 11:59 collection has been inevitable as the brand looks to diversify its offering, and the more new models arrive the more appealing the collection becomes. With this latest reference we get a 41mm case made of white gold with a black ceramic mid case, paired with a black Onyx dial. Using undersized Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals, the open flying tourbillon takes centre stage.

Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT

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Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT

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Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT

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Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT

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Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT

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Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT

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Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT

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Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT

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Though the concept series is certainly an arm of the Royal Oak lineage, it is one that stands on its own as a very modern and forward-thinking interpretation. In this latest guise we’re seeing the first use of a ceramic bezel in the Concept range, but more importantly it’s another execution of the absolutely excellent GMT complication from AP. What’s more, the piece has a power reserve just shy of 10 days.

CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph

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Once again a new iteration of a CODE 11:59 reference with a casing that mixes gold and ceramic, this new take on the CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph proves that black and gold are always a perfect match. Add an extremely complex, skeletonized, and elegantly finished toubillon chronograph caliber to the mix, and you’re left with one of the most stunning AP watches that wasn’t influenced by Gerald Genta.

Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Blue Ceramic

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Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Blue Ceramic

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Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Blue Ceramic

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Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Blue Ceramic

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Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Blue Ceramic

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Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Blue Ceramic

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Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Blue Ceramic

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Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Blue Ceramic

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Somehow, even with the existence of a white ceramic Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar, not to mention the black ceramic version with a skeletonized dial, this bright blue variant came as a bit of a surprise. The Royal Oak has long been the brand’s halo, and one whose legacy and history is approached with caution, so to see a variant this outlandish (and not an Offshore), is a bit of a departure from the norm. That said, the monochomatic colour scheme that includes a rich blue Grande Tapisserie dial is hard not to love — even if it will be incredibly challenging to acquire, given high demand and low volume in the market.

CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Flying Tourbillon Openworked

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Flying Tourbillon Openworked

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Flying Tourbillon Openworked

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Flying Tourbillon Openworked

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Flying Tourbillon Openworked

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CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Flying Tourbillon Openworked

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Code blue? Hardly, as business seems to keep booming at AP. As a final ceramic and gold case combination for the CODE 11:59 collection, white gold and blue ceramic provide backdrop for yet another skeletonized flying tourbillon caliber. This is by far the boldest rendition of this caliber, which trims down its inner workings to the bare minimum in rather elegant fashion. By opting for manual winding, the lack of a winding rotor allows a clearer lens into the movement from both sides of the case.