malaysia tatler. august 2019 111
WORDS: BRIAN CHEONG; IMAGES: AUDEMARS PIGUET
CODING IT
Clockwise from top
left: Among intricate
models of Code
11.59 include an
openworked tourbillon;
the selfwinding version
in pink gold, with various
dial colours; a perpetual
calendar; and the
sapphire curved from
‘6’ to ‘12’SPOILT FOR CHOICE
With 13 different watchestochoosefrom,
there may just be somethingforeveryone.
Each watch is endowedwiththelatest
generation calibres, threeofwhicharenew.
The selfwinding withdatehousesone
of these new heartbeats, Calibre 4302.
The selfwinding chronograph with fl yback
function also features a new movement,
Calibre 4401. Then there is the selfwinding
fl ying tourbillon, which is also the fi rst
Audemars Piguet automatic movement to
feature a central rotor and a fl ying tourbillon.
There are three more complicated models,
which is impressive for a debut collection.
The openworked tourbillon is the only
skeleton watch in the family, and it boasts a
dark rhodium German silver mainplate and
PVD bridges which lend a dramatic contrast
against the pink gold of the case.
Next is the Minute Repeater Supersonnerie
with a movement remodeled from a Royal
Oak Supersonnerie calibre that features gongs
attached to not a mainplate as per the norm,but a new device that acts as a sound
board. Perforations in the outer caseback
allow for a smoother sound transmission.
Meanwhile, the striking regulator has been
redesigned with a new anchor system to
absorb shocks and eliminate unwanted noises.
With the perpetual calendar, Audemars
Piguet reaches for the stars by pairing
the astronomical complication with an
aventurine dial. The white-dotted blue
aventurine recalls a star-lit sky, which gels
seamlessly with the moon phase at ‘6’. Its
selfwinding Calibre 5134 is based on an older
movement and powers the date (at 3 o’clock),
day (9 o’clock) as well as the month and leap
year (12 o’clock). It requires adjustment only
once every 122 years.
For sure, Audemars Piguet has given
us quite a lot to chew on with Code
11.59. According to CEO François-Henry
Bennahmias, its creation is meant for the
manufacture “to be able to move beyond the
Royal Oak.” Only time will tell if it does.