No matter how you feel about the Code 11.59 case design, the ceramic mid-case is an appealing update to the original design. This use of ceramic makes the watch lighter and more visually graceful, accentuating and contrasting the level of finish and intricate geometry of the case and skeletonized lugs.

The Code 11.59 is unusual to wear, and I wonder if one ever truly acclimates to it. It's also rather apparent that the designers didn't intend for it to be conventional by any stretch (This house made one of the most decisive watches of the 70s). The watch looks different from various angles. When viewed from the front, it appears restrained and minimalistic, but as you rotate it, the double-curved sapphire crystal creates visual illusions of flying buttresses, and the case structure becomes more prominent. It almost feels like the watch transforms in front of your eyes through horological sleight of hand.

The watch is contradictory in its design. The case and movement finish draw on the classic AP techniques. The geometry resembles the original Royal Oak but is taken to an extreme that even Gérald Genta wouldn't have imagined and likely would have opposed, given his devotion to the purity of his original design. Even the relatively mild evolution of the design represented by the Offshore watch triggered his displeasure. However, the evolution of a new species based on the DNA of the Royal Oak is something that we should have expected long ago and showcases the brand's willingness and eagerness to not be categorized as a "one-watch brand".

Model: Code 11.59
Reference: 26393NB
Circa: 2024
Material: White gold
Dial: Grey Sunburst
Dimensions: 41 mm; 12.6 mm
Movement: 4401
Bracelet / Strap: Fabric strap w/ pinbuckle
Lug Width: N/A

Condition Report:
Excellent, almost no signs of wear

Included:
Watch, box and papers

Warranty & Authenticity:
The watch comes with the Greenwich Time 24 Month Warranty alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.

Audemars Piguet is a Swiss luxury watch brand founded in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet. The company has been in the hands of the founding families for over a century, a rarity in the watchmaking industry.

The brand is known for its innovation and craftsmanship, producing iconic timepieces such as the Royal Oak, designed by renowned watch designer Gerald Genta. Introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak was the world's first high-end steel sports watch, revolutionizing the watch industry with its octagonal bezel and “tapisserie” dial.

Audemars Piguet continues to be one of the world's most prestigious and innovative watchmakers, blending traditional craftsmanship with avant-garde design and technology.