Swiss Haute Horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet presents a new iteration of its 41 mm Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Tourbillon Openworked. The handfinished openworked movement adorning different shades of grey is housed in a two-tone case interweaving 18-carat white and pink gold. This gold combination highlights the case’s multifaceted geometry, while providing an elegant contrast.
Multifaceted two-tone architecture
The two-tone case emphasizes the complex architecture of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet. Its extra-thin bezel, stylised lugs and round caseback, all crafted in 18-carat white gold, are subtly contrasted with an 18-carat pink gold octagonal middle case. Each component has been hand finished down to the smallest detail with an alternation of satin-brushing and polished chamfers. The technical complexity notably resides in reaching perfect alignment across the case’s multiplicity of angular and rounded surfaces – an aesthetic only achievable by hand.
Two-tone gold cases are rare at Audemars Piguet yet an integral part of the Manufacture’s history. Out of the 550 complicated wristwatches produced and sold between 1882 and 1969, only 8 examples combined two types of gold. The blend of white and pink gold was exceptional, with only one wristwatch recorded in the Manufacture’s archives before 1978. Although, this combination has become more prevalent in recent decades, it remains a distinct symbol of refinement.
Remarkable view on the watch's beating heart
This watch houses a multi-tiered hand-wound tourbillon openworked movement, Calibre 2948. Its slate grey openworked plate and bridges are illuminated by a pink gold-toned balance wheel and a light grey openworked barrel and gear train. The main plate and bridges, visible on both sides of the watch, are finished with vertical satin-brushing for more visual appeal. In addition, the barrel and different wheels are adorned with circular satin.
With 70 hand-polished angles, the hand finishing on this 3.65 mm movement pushes the openworking art to new heights, while the three-tone decoration amplifies the watch’s 3-D effect.
The slate grey lacquered inner bezel complements the openworked movement and accentuates the extra-thinness of the watch’s bezel, barely visible around the dial. The long 18-carat pink gold hands add a subtle touch of colour in an echo to the balance wheel and middle case.
The unique double curved sapphire crystal, which seamlessly integrates the curved extra-thin bezel, completes the watch’s contemporary design. Playing with depth and light, this complex glass brings forward the detailed work adorning the openworked movement.
Contemporary textured rubber-coated strap
This complicated timepiece is fitted on a contemporary slate grey textured rubber-coated strap with calfskin lining. The straight integration of the strap in the continuity of the lugs, which have been welded to the extra-thin bezel, further reveals the refined hand finishing adorning the two-tone case.
“The architectural nature of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet makes it the ideal canvas for complex and openworked mechanisms, as the case and movement seamlessly blend into a unified aesthetic," said Michael Friedman Head of Complications. "Taking inspiration from the 2019 Only Watch unique piece, the new 26600CR openworked tourbillon features a multi-toned grey openworked movement housed within a white gold case with a pink gold octagonal middle case. The entire creation is an expression of hand-finishing and contemporary design that can only be achieved when our talented watchmakers, craftspeople, technicians, engineers and product experts work hand-in-hand on behalf of our clients that expect the extraordinary.”
