Swiss haute horlogerie manufacturer Audemars Piguet has released a new iteration of its Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar combining an 18-carat white gold case with a blue aventurine dial and a matching textured rubber-coated strap.

This contemporary timepiece continues the manufacture’s long history of calendar watches while foregrounding once more the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet’s endless creativity.

The white gold timepiece adorns a dark blue dial in aventurine glass recalling a star-lit sky. This glass has been polished and very thinly cut before being applied onto the dial’s plate.

This material was first created in the 17th century in a Murano glass factory. Legend has it that copper filings were accidentally dropped in cooling molten glass, creating a combination of sparkling inclusions. Today, the glass is obtained by introducing black copper oxide and cobalt into the molten glass, which gives it its blue colour.

The moon phase at 6 o’clock has been reproduced through laser engraving and applied on a thin aventurine disc. The day number and week day, respectively located at 3 and 9 o’clock, as well as the month indication at 12 o’clock are also presented on aventurine subdials. For their part, the week numbers have been transferred onto the corresponding blue lacquered inner bezel. The white gold hour-markers and hands add a subtle contrast, while recalling the colour of the case and crown.

The double curved sapphire crystal that seamlessly integrates the extra-thin bezel’s curvature completes the watch’s overall design, while providing a unique visual effect onto the dial.

White gold architecture

This new 18-carat white gold version complements the perpetual calendar model crafted in 18-carat pink gold unveiled in 2019 for the launch of the collection. The white gold extra-thin bezel, stylised lugs, octagonal case middle as well as round caseback provide an elegant contrast with the blue aventurine dial. The alternation of satin-brushing and polished chamfers adorning the different components add an interesting play of light, while accentuating the complex architecture of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection.

Conceived with both women and men in mind, this complicated wristwatch will sit comfortably on all wrists thanks to the 41 mm case’s ergonomic curvature.

High-end Perpetual Calendar

This timepiece houses the manufacture’s selfwinding perpetual calendar movement, Calibre 5134, fitted with the collection’s dedicated 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight.

Calibre 5134 automatically takes into account the number of days in the month and correctly displays the prevailing date even in leap years. Assuming the watch is kept regularly wound, the date will not require manual correction until 2100, at which point it will require adjustment in order to stay in line with the Gregorian calendar.

The movement has been finished with refined decorations including “Côte de Genève,” microbead-blasting, sunray finishing, satin-brushing and polished chamfers, all visible through the sapphire caseback.