The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Grande Sonnerie Carillon Supersonnerie reference 26397OR.OO.D417CR.01 is a highly complicated 41mm timepiece crafted from 18k pink gold. This exclusive model, released as part of the brand’s 150th-anniversary celebrations, features a rare and vibrant natural harlequin opal dial. The dial is constructed from 0.45mm-thick pieces of opal mounted on a hard alloy disc to prevent breakage, displaying a mosaic-like pattern of green, blue, red, and yellow angular patches. The case maintains the collection’s signature architecture with a thin round bezel, skeletonized lugs, and an octagonal mid-case, all finished with a mix of satin-brushing and polished chamfers.
At its mechanical core, the watch is powered by the manual-winding caliber 2956, a complex movement comprised of 498 parts with a 48-hour power reserve. It features the prestigious Grande Sonnerie complication, which automatically strikes the hours and quarters, as well as a Petite Sonnerie and a Minute Repeater that chimes the time on demand. The “Carillon” designation indicates the use of three gongs and hammers instead of the traditional two, allowing the quarters to be struck with three successive notes of different pitches. These complications utilize Audemars Piguet’s patented Supersonnerie technology, where gongs are attached to a soundboard rather than the mainplate to produce a volume and clarity reminiscent of vintage pocket watches.
General reviews of the Code 11.59 high-complication models are significantly more positive than those of the initial entry-level releases. Critics and enthusiasts often highlight how the intricate mechanics and exotic dial materials, such as the harlequin opal, provide the depth and character that best complement the collection’s complex case construction. While the 41mm diameter and unique sapphire crystal geometry are praised for their technical execution, the watch remains a polarizing design within the horological community, often described as a bold departure from the brand’s iconic Royal Oak series. Despite this, it is widely regarded as a masterful display of the brand’s formidable acoustic engineering and artisanal craftsmanship.