The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph reference 26393CR.OO.A008KB.01 features a 41mm multi-piece case construction that blends 18-carat pink and white gold. The middle case is crafted from pink gold, while the bezel, lugs, and caseback are made of white gold. The watch is 12.6mm thick and measures 50mm from lug-to-lug, offering a water resistance of 30 meters. It is equipped with a double glareproofed sapphire crystal that is arched on two different axes to create a unique visual effect. The dial is a smoked grey or silver lacquered finish with a sunray pattern, adorned with pink gold applied hour markers, Arabic numerals, and hands. It is typically presented on a grey rubber-coated strap with a textile motif and a white gold pin buckle.
This timepiece is powered by the manufacture calibre 4401, a self-winding integrated column-wheel chronograph movement. The mechanism includes a flyback function that allows the chronograph to be restarted without first stopping or resetting it. The movement provides a 70-hour power reserve and operates at a frequency of 4 Hz. Its complications include a central chronograph seconds hand, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, small seconds, and a date window positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock. The transparent caseback reveals the 22-carat pink gold oscillating weight and the intricate finishing of the 381-part movement.
General reviews of this reference highlight the exceptional level of case finishing, particularly the transition between the octagonal middle case and the round bezel. While the Code 11.59 collection initially faced criticism regarding its dial design, many enthusiasts feel that the smoked lacquered dials and chronograph sub-registers provide better visual balance and depth compared to early iterations. Collectors often appreciate the technical merit of the calibre 4401 but note that the watch’s aesthetic is distinct from the brand’s iconic Royal Oak lineage. Some critics maintain that the pricing at retail is high relative to secondary market values, though others emphasize the complexity of the case construction and the quality of the movement as significant redeeming factors.