An inexorable link between the past and the future, between the classic and the contemporary, between craftsmanship and engineering. Combining in a single piece all the possible advances of this and other eras is the feat of Audemars Piguet. And it is that, although a century has passed since its ultra-complicated Universelle pocket watch saw the light, the Swiss Fine Watchmaking Manufacture has not forgotten it and that is why it now pays tribute to it with a wristwatch that combines the contemporary design of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection and the automatic caliber 1000.
The result is an incomparable piece: the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Ultracomplication Universelle RD
This innovative piece is born from the joint work of engineers, designers, watchmakers and artisans for more than seven years, who have raised the limits of Haute Horlogerie craftsmanship to new heights. “The Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Ultracomplication Universelle RD
The project started in 2016 with the aim of developing an ultra-complicated wristwatch that would be suitable for everyday use and strike the perfect balance between complexity, ergonomics and aesthetics. So it was. In a challenge to traditional usage, the teams blurred the line between movement and case by developing ergonomic crown pushers and correctors that allowed wearers to easily activate the watch’s multiple functions.
They also incorporated and developed the three latest advances in Manufacturing R&D: 2015 Supersonnerie technology (RD
Until today, when that project has given rise to the RD
In the new Audemars Piguet watch, some of the most prestigious watchmaking complications have been combined in a single automatic movement up to 34.3 mm in diameter (15 lines) and 8.75 mm thick. In addition, the crowns and pushers have been reduced to three and three, respectively. The latter, very discreet but large enough to be activated with the finger, are integrated into the left side of the case, with the exception of the upper one.
On the right side of the case, three crowns with coaxial pushers allow the watch to be wound, the date and time adjusted with the central crown, and the chime mode selected (Grande Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie or silent).
The flyback chronograph (with contemporary split-seconds that weaves together simplicity of use and visual appeal) can be started and stopped with the super crown at 2 o’clock, and reset with the other super crown at 4 o’clock. The latter also corrects the month, synchronizing it with the year.
In addition, a series of innovations are added, such as the ergonomic push-button on the crown (or super crown) at 4 o’clock introducing a new level of correction, the push-button activates the flyback chronograph reset mechanism or the crown also allows correction of the month forwards or backwards.
The Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Ultracomplication Universelle RD
Another attraction of this piece is its refined and intuitive perpetual calendar mechanism, conceived to optimize the display and use of the calendar functions, always in the minimum possible space. The end of month cam has now also been integrated into the date wheel, while the month cam has been combined with the month wheel.
In addition, the correction system of the calendar functions has been simplified. While the moon phases and day can be corrected using two dedicated pushers located on the left side of the case, the reversible date system allows the date to be moved forwards and backwards by turning the crown at 3 o’clock in either direction. For its part, the month can be adjusted forwards or backwards using the innovative super crown at 4 o’clock.
On the other hand, the watch shows the day, the large date and the month at 9, 12 and 3 o’clock, respectively, and indicates the year through a two-digit window located at 4 o’clock, a system that replaces the traditional leap year indication. Synchronized with the month, the year changes automatically each time the month wheel rolls from December to January. This means no manual adjustment is necessary until the year 2400. Finally, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Ultracomplication Universelle RD
The Manufacture has taken the complexity of the Code 11.59 by Audemars collection case one step further. A total of six easy-to-use crowns and pushers, evenly distributed around the case, subtly recall the rounded geometries of the piece. The watch also displays for the first time a “secret†caseback that amplifies its acoustic performance while opening it reveals the beauty of the mechanism thanks to the new Supersonnerie sapphire sounding box.
Not one but four are the versions that will be arriving this 2023. The first combines an 18-carat white gold case with a gold dial with a black opaline galvanic finish, bezel and illuminated chronograph counters with brilliant touches.
The second surprises with an 18-carat white gold case next to a gold dial with a beige opaline PVD finish, adorned with black chronograph counters and a black outer area with transferred pink minute track and “Swiss Made†inscription.
The other two references feature an 18-carat white or rose gold case and a two-tone architectural dial to match the gold skeletonized bridges, with contrasting black details. They all feature a black alligator strap, accompanied by an additional black textured rubber-coated calfskin strap, for a touch of sporty elegance.
