Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Onyx

Audemars Piguet presents Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon, a new version with a black onyx dial and 41 mm two-tone black ceramic and 18K white gold case.

Similarly to the 2021 Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Chronograph, the ceramic case middle has been crafted in collaboration with Bangerter, a Swiss family-owned company specialised in the manufacturing of precision components made of advanced ceramics, tungsten carbide and other super hard materials. 

The manufacturing of the case middle follows a complex industrial flow. Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2) powder is combined with binder content, the composition of which remains the secret of the company. This feedstock is given preliminary shape on latest generation 5-axis CNC machine technology. After this first machining process, the binder is removed. The watch component obtains its hardness and final colour by sintering at approximately 1,400° C. The component is then hard machined with high-precision diamond tools before being pre-polished and pre-satin-brushed. Ultimately, like the gold components, the ceramic case middle is meticulously hand-finished with the Manufacture’s trademark alternation of satin brushing and polished chamfers.

ONYX, GOLD AND CERAMIC

The new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon gives pride of place to the black onyx dial, whose purity is highlighted by the absence of hour-markers. This stone dial has been crafted in collaboration with long-term partner Someco, a company specialised in dial manufacturing since 1966 and located in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Carved out of a single black onyx stone, the dial has then been cut into a thin disc, ground, sanded and polished to perfection before being inserted into the dial’s pink-gold-toned brass base plate. Its polished finishing confers it an elegant shine, magnified by the watch’s double curved sapphire crystal. Each dial is unique, as each stone has its own natural composition, texture and colour and reacts differently to the manufacturing and finishing operations. 

The overall minimalist design is enriched with pink gold accents, including pink gold hands and a discreet pink-gold-toned minute track printed on the black lacquered inner bezel. The polished laser- cut pink gold “Audemars Piguet” signature has been applied onto the dial with dedicated legs specifically adapted to the stone’s thickness. Lastly, the flying tourbillon cage, encircled by a delicate pink-gold-toned thread, matching with the balance wheel pulsating within, makes its rotations at 6 o’clock. For the first time, the top bridge of the flying tourbillon cage has been finished with black PVD in an echo to the dial’s colour. 

Visible on the dial and through the caseback, the flying tourbillon cage defies gravity by constantly rotating on itself while offering an unobstructed view of some of the watch’s regulating components. 

The timepiece’s sapphire caseback reveals the collection’s dedicated 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight and the refined finishing adorning Automatic Calibre 2950 with 65h of power reserve, including Côtes de Genève, traits tirés, snailing and circular graining, among other techniques. 

A black rubber strap finished with a textured pattern completes the watch. (Price on request)