What do you do whenever you wish to launch a brand new assortment alongside a very legendary vary that when redefined what luxurious watchmaking was? Do you tweak a design and pray it doesn’t get any banter as a result of it appears to be like an excessive amount of like your treasured icon? Or take off in a totally completely different path altogether, to seek out new inspiration and break new grounds when it comes to design? Both method, it’s a troublesome factor to do for positive, however Audemars Piguet took the gamble in 2019 once they launched the Code 11.59 assortment. Vastly completely different from the well-known Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore, however someway it didn’t seize the guts of collectors and fanatics. Was it actually that dangerous? And is it nonetheless to today, that dangerous? No, it wasn’t again then, and even much less today, which watches just like the Code 11.59 Universelle have clearly confirmed. By way of intelligent use of design, supplies, colors and by now extraordinarily difficult actions, the Code 11.59 has severely matured. However someway, it nonetheless will get various hate on-line. Why is that? And is it justified? The quick reply isn’t any, however permit me to go a bit deeper into why some prejudices in direction of this watch are simply ridiculous and may finish.
the net manner
Now, earlier than I dive a bit deeper into what I take into consideration the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59, I wish to get one thing else off my chest. It feels to me that the Code 11.59 is singled out and victimised, making it painfully apparent how adverse the net manner of some folks is. As an alternative of objectively trying on the Code 11.59, it will get ridiculed and bashed left, proper and centre from day 1. Don’t get me mistaken, I’m absolutely conscious that the loud minority pushes apart the silent huge majority, however nonetheless. It simply baffles me. Fortunately although, I really feel the notion of the Code 11.59 is slowly altering and to me, it’s nicely deserved! And let me clarify why I really feel that method.
A shaky begin
Admittedly, the beginning of the Code 11.59 was maybe a bit so-so. It was overestimated as the following neatest thing since sliced bread, however the truth is, it wasn’t. The considerably generic dials took away many of the lustre of the objectively cool and brilliantly completed case development. As such, folks made an enormous effort to elucidate why this was by no means going to be an iconic assortment. It was boring, it was too easy, it lacked persona, and many others…

By now although, Audemars Piguet has turned the Code 11.59 round from what it was as soon as perceived to be, into one thing that deserves our consideration for a lot of causes. It’s removed from boring when you have a look at it carefully, with a posh and interesting case design, and a focus to element and ornament that’s hardly ever seen. It’s additionally not that easy anymore, as we’ve actually seen an array of modern and sophisticated fashions come forth. Heck, it’s even spawned essentially the most advanced AP in historical past! The model made it clear from day 1; the Code 11.59 was the gathering to accommodate all of Audemars’ experience in Haute Horlogerie and superior mechanics. Minute repeater, perpetual calendar, grande sonnerie, tourbillon chronograph and now a watch with no fewer than 23 issues. It was even used to convey again the emblematic StarWheel idea.
And about that lack of a persona that was as soon as the principle concern of the gathering – largely the dials of the time-and-date fashions – there’s little doubt to me that AP has addressed this downside. It will get boatloads of character from the vary of fascinating and contrasting colors and supplies, or particulars resembling the intricate new dials within the metal fashions. And talking of the metal fashions, have you ever seen the delicate variations between these, and those in treasured metallic? Have you ever seen how they’ve completely different markers and palms, a brand new date window, and a distinct inside flange? I guess most haven’t, particularly the nay-sayers.

Blinded by the Royal Oak, however it shouldn’t
Every time we share a narrative on any of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet, one nonsensical remark is bound to pop up; “it’s not a Royal Oak.” Or one thing else alongside these traces, you get the thought. However take into consideration this for a change. Earlier than the Code 11.59 was launched, we (the watch neighborhood as an entire, us included) had been complaining that Audemars was a one-trick pony. There’s now a severely spectacular assortment alongside the Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore, and individuals are merely ridiculing the model saying the Code 11.59 fails to even stand within the shadows of the Royal Oak. To me, that’s simply plain daft!
I’d say it’s time we embrace the Code 11.59 for what it’s, a powerful and really intriguing assortment of mechanical watches! It’s time to have a look at the newest iterations with an open thoughts, with out prejudice or negativity. It’s time to objectively weigh up the professionals and cons, and even higher, test it out in particular person, earlier than passing judgement and spewing negativity round. If in the long run, you don’t prefer it, that’s all high-quality. However there’s completely no have to trash it as a result of you don’t really feel a reference to it. And most frequently, not having seen the watch as soon as within the metallic…
Dwell, and let stay, I’d say. Who’s with me?
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