The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon reference 26396NB.OO.D002KB.01 is a 41mm luxury timepiece that features a complex two-tone case construction. It utilizes a deep black ceramic octagonal middle case sandwiched between an 18-carat white gold extra-thin bezel and caseback. The architecture is further defined by skeletonized white gold lugs that are welded to the bezel and a double-curved sapphire crystal that creates unique visual distortions and enhanced legibility. The watch has a thickness of 11.8mm and maintains a water resistance of 30 meters. It is paired with a black rubber-coated strap featuring a textured motif and an 18-carat white gold AP folding clasp.
Underneath the sapphire crystal, the minimalist dial is crafted from a thin sliver of natural black onyx stone, polished to a mirror-like finish. The design is notably devoid of hour markers, featuring only a pink gold laser-cut AP logo and 18-carat pink gold hands. The primary complication is a one-minute flying tourbillon positioned at 6 o’clock, which appears to float without an upper bridge. The watch is powered by the in-house self-winding caliber 2950, which operates at a frequency of 3 Hz and provides a 65-hour power reserve. The movement is visible through an exhibition caseback, showcasing a 22-carat gold openworked rotor and refined finishes such as Geneva stripes and perlage.
General reviews of the Code 11.59 collection note that while the initial 2019 launch faced criticism for uninspired dial designs, later iterations like this black onyx model have been much better received. Critics and enthusiasts often highlight the exceptional hand-finishing of the ceramic and gold components, noting that the watch’s three-dimensional complexity is best appreciated in person rather than through photography. The onyx dial version specifically is praised for its elegant simplicity and the successful contrast between the minimalist face and the highly technical case. While some collectors remain critical of the 30-meter water resistance for a watch with a sporty rubber-coated strap, the model is increasingly viewed as a strong alternative to the Royal Oak that showcases the brand’s modern design direction.