Tourbillon Chronographs seem to be a theme this week because Audemars Piguet have released the Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph just as Tag Heuer revamp the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon Extreme Sport. Further connecting the two watches, they even have similar design language, stripping back any extraneous material to create an openworked dial and a case that feels almost industrial and utilitarian. Let’s get into it.
Starting with the case, the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph measures 41mm x 13.8mm and is made from a combination of black ceramic and white gold. The ceramic forms the central core of the body, visible along the central case band, which is framed by an exo-skeleton in gold. The openworked lugs in particular are very stylised and help to create that quasi-industrial feel, like a gantry overseeing a research laboratory where crazy science is taking place.
In this context, that crazy science is the haute horological movement that forms the watch’s openworked display. The calibre is the 2592 with automatic winding and a 65-hour power reserve. It’s equipped with central hours, minutes and chronograph seconds with a tourbillon at 6 o’clock, a 30-minute timer at 9 and a 12-hour timer at 3 o’clock. The openworking allows you to view the internal mechanisms of the flying tourbillon as well as the barrel at 12 and the various gears controlling the chronograph functions below the relevant subdials.
One of my favourite aspects of the display is the style with which it has been openworked. The various bridges and plates haven’t been fully skeletonised (as that would mean all extra material has been removed, which isn’t the case here) but what remains is deliberate and stylish. For example, there is a satisfying symmetry to the grey framework that runs around the exterior of the subdials and tourbillon, sweeping around the contours of the functions and the perimeter of the dial.
The combination of the precious and high-tech materials used in the case in addition to the haute horology movement means that the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph with openwork display is firmly price on request. Personally, I like the style of the Code 11.59 more when it isn’t openworked, but I think the structured look of this piece works really well and is one of the nicer openworked displays AP has created in the past few years.
Price and Specs:
More details at Audemars Piguet.
