Malaysia Tatler – August 2019

110 malaysia tatler. august 2019

STYLE | WATCHES

Fromtop:TheSelfwinding

Chronographinpink

gold; a watchmaker

working on the dial.

While it is uncertain,

it seems like the Code

11.59 has what it takes

to become the new

fl agship range of

Audemars Piguet—

what then happens

to the Royal Oak?

Crack

the Code

Audemars Piguet launches an

all-new collection, Code 11.59

I

n a surprising—and not
entirely unwelcomed—move,
the big news at Audemars
Piguet wasn’t a Royal Oak this
year. Instead, the Le Brassus
manufacture dominated both
Insta feed and column inches
with a fresh collection called Code 11.59.
One of the most talked about watches at
SIHH 2019, Code 11.59 boasts a completely
new design, three new calibres, and no less
than 13 references ranging fromasimple
automatic to a minute repeater.
And the espionage-esquenam
‘Code’ is an acronym for
‘Challenge’, ‘Own’, ‘Dare’
and ‘Evolve’, characteristics
that defi ne the spirit of
Audemars Piguet, while
‘11.59’ refers to the fi nal
minute before midnight when
a new day begins. Which is
apt considering the collection
marks a whole new chapter for
Audemars Piguet.
It is an ambitious endeavour
designed to showcase moretha
140 years of Audemars Piguet’s
savoir-faire in fi ne watchmaking
Every sign points towards the
Code 11.59 moving to becomei
new fl agship model.
Does it have what it takestobeone?
Let’s break down the details so you can
be the judge.

IS IT ROUND?
IS IT OCTAGONAL?
Well, it’s both. The case is round but fi tted
with an octagonal case middle in a not-so-
subtle nod to the Royal Oak’s bezel shape.
Whether it is a shameless imitation or a fresh
perspective, it promises to be as luxurious
as the case for all the models are crafted in
either 18k pink or white gold.

other design distinction is the sapphire

crystalonthe dial, which is deliberately

curvedfrom ‘6’ to ‘12’ as a way of enhancing

the visual appeal of what lies beneath.

Speaking of which, the dials come in rich

tones of white, blue or black.

Design nerds may enjoy one small detail—

the ‘Audemars Piguet’ typography is a

composition of very thin layers of 24k gold

using a technique called galvanic growth.

This micro-electronic method has been used

for watch movements but Audemars Piguet

claims that this is the fi rst time that it has

been employed to manipulate gold.

SETTINGTHECODE

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