Inspiring Contrasts For The Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph
Luxferity, 01.04.2021
Never standing still, Swiss Haute Horlogerie manu-facturer Audemars Piguet evolves the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph collection with two pioneering models bringing together 18-carat white or pink gold with black ceramics.
Entwining bold aesthetics and uncompromising craftsmanship, these two-tone timepieces have pushed the manufacturing and hand finishing of the collection’s multi-faceted case to new heights.
The Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph takes on a new two-tone design with a case interweaving white gold and black ceramics and a smoked grey dial with vertical satin-brushing finishing.
“The latest Selfwinding Chronograph evolves the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection with a new material combination and finishing on the dial that further the timepiece’s myriads of details. The teams had to push their limits once more to respond to the new technical challenges of combining a black ceramic middle case with a bezel, lugs and caseback crafted in gold. The vertical satin-finishing on the dial also had to be perfectly aligned with the case’s refined traits tirés,” Sofia Candeias, Head of Product and Design Management.
Black ceramics embedded in gold
The two new Selfwinding Chronograph models present a highly contemporary two-tone case design. While the bezel, lugs and caseback are made in 18-carat white or pink gold, the octagonal middle case is honed from black ceramics. Blending advanced technology and time-honoured tradition, the case required complex programming, dedicated tools and highly specialised human talents for its industrialisation and the hand finishing of its components.
For the first time, the Manufacture introduces black ceramics in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection. Embedded in gold, the black ceramic middle case furthers the watch’s multi-faceted geometry.
The ceramic middle case has been crafted in collaboration with Bangerter, a Swiss family-owned company specialised in the manufacture of precision components made of advanced ceramics, tungsten carbide and other super hard materials. The manufacturing of the Selfwinding Chronograph’s middle case follows a complex industrial flow. Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2) powder is combined with binder content, the composition of which remains the secret of the company. This feedstock is given preliminary shape on latest generation 5-axis CNC machine technology. After this first machining process, the binder is removed. The watch component obtains its hardness by sintering at approximately 1,400° C. A challenge with ceramics is that the material shrinks during the sintering process by about 25 %. The component is then hard machined with high-precision diamond tools. Its geometrical surfaces are pre-polished and pre-satin-brushed, before being finished by hand by highly trained experts.
The ceramic and gold components of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet case have been all hand-finished with the brand’s trademark alternation of satin-brushing and polished chamfers to the slightest detail – a renewed challenge to achieve perfect alignment between the gold and ceramic components’ rounded and angular surfaces. This contrast of materials and hand finishing also brings an interesting play of light.
The material combination has pushed hand finishing to new heights to reach the perfect alignment between the gold and ceramic components’s rounded and angular surfaces.
Highly contemporary dials
The 18-carat pink and white gold models are both complemented with a smoked dark grey dial adorned with a vertical satin-finished base, matching the refined satin-brushing adorning the case. The black chronograph counters and inner bezel further give depth to the dial, while subtly recalling the case’s black ceramic octagonal middle case. Last but not least, the 18-carat pink or white gold hour-markers and hands add a touch of brightness.
The smoked dial presents a refined vertical satin-brushed finishing which seamlessly complements the case’s satin-brushed surfaces.
Refined flyback Chronograph Calibre 4401
These two Selfwinding Chronograph models are powered by Calibre 4401, the Manufacture’s latest in-house integrated chronograph with column wheel and flyback function that enables to restart the chronograph without stopping or resetting it first. With their selfwinding mechanism, 70 hours of power reserve and water resistance to 30 m, the two Selfwinding Chronographs are suited to an active lifestyle.
The sapphire caseback reveals the refined decorations adorning Calibre 4401, as well as components usually hidden from view, such as the column wheel and the chronograph’s hammers.
Calibre 4401 is further equipped with a vertical clutch system that prevents hands from jumping when the chronograph is started or stopped, as well as a patented zero resetting mechanism ensuring that each one of the counter hands is seamlessly reset to zero. This movement also presents a refined aesthetics revealing components usually hidden from view through the sapphire caseback. This is the case of the column wheel and the so-called “dance” of the chronograph hammers.* The collection’s dedicated 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight as well as other elegant decorations such as “Côtes de Genève,” “traits tirés” and circular graining can also be admired through the sapphire caseback.
Calibre 4401 has been finished by hand in utmost respect for traditions with refined decorations including “Côtes de Genève,” “traits tirés,” circular graining, sunray-brushing and polished chamfers.
*When the reset button is activated, the hammers, driven by an operating lever, hit the chronograph’s heart-piece cams to bring the chronograph wheels and hands back to zero.
Contemporary textured rubber-coated strap
The two Selfwinding Chronograph models are complemented with a black rubber-coated strap. Rubber coating has been added to a lining of calfskin leather. The strap is finished with a textured motif for a contemporary look.
The straight integration of the strap in the continuity of the openworked lugs, which have been welded to the extra-thin bezel, further reveals the refined hand-finishing techniques adorning the two-tone case’s contrasted architecture.
The double curved sapphire crystal and the black textured rubber-coated strap enhance the highly contemporary aesthetics of this two-tone timepiece.
Technical Specifications
Code: 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph / 41 mm
26393NB.OO.A002CA.01
FUNCTIONS
- Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date.
CASE
- Black ceramic middle case, 18-carat white gold bezel, lugs, caseback, crown and pushpieces, double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, glareproofed sapphire caseback, water-resistant to 30 m.
DIAL
- Smoked grey dial with a vertical satin-brushed base, white gold applied hour-markers and hands, opaline black inner bezel.
STRAP
- Black rubber-coated strap with 18-carat white gold pin buckle.
MOVEMENT SPECIFICATION
- Selfwinding Manufacture Calibre 4401
- Diameter: 32 mm (14 lignes)
- Thickness: 6.80 mm
- Number of parts: 367
- Number of jewels: 40
- Minimum power reserve guaranteed: 70 h
- Frequency of balance wheel: 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph / 41 mm
26393NR.OO.A002CA.01
FUNCTIONS
- Flyback chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds and date.
CASE
- Black ceramic middle case, 18-carat pink gold bezel, lugs, caseback, crown and pushpieces, double curved glareproofed sapphire crystal, glareproofed sapphire caseback, water-resistant to 30 m.
DIAL
- Smoked grey dial with a vertical satin-brushed base, pink gold applied hour-markers and hands, opaline black inner bezel.
STRAP
- Black rubber-coated strap with with 18-carat pink gold pin buckle.
MOVEMENT SPECIFICATION
- Selfwinding Manufacture Calibre 4401
- Diameter: 32 mm (14 lignes)
- Thickness: 6.80 mm
- Number of parts: 367
- Number of jewels: 40
- Minimum power reserve guaranteed: 70 h
- Frequency of balance wheel: 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations/hour)
