The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Grande Sonnerie Carillon Supersonnerie reference 26397QS.OO.D002KB.01 is a highly complicated 41mm luxury timepiece released to commemorate the brand’s 150th anniversary. The watch features a multifaceted case construction that pairs an 18-carat sand gold bezel, lugs, and caseback with a polished black ceramic octagonal case middle. This model is distinguished by its polished sapphire dial that reveals the intricate movement beneath, accented by sand gold-toned hands and hour-markers filled with luminescent material. It is equipped with a double-curved, glareproofed sapphire crystal and a specialized Supersonnerie caseback designed to amplify sound, ensuring a water resistance of 20 meters.
At the heart of this timepiece is the hand-wound Calibre 2956, a complex movement comprising 498 parts that provides a 48-hour power reserve. Its primary complications include a Grande Sonnerie, which automatically strikes the hours and quarter hours, and a Petite Sonnerie for striking only the hours. The carillon mechanism utilizes three gongs and hammers to produce a sequence of three notes for the quarter hours. Additionally, the watch features a minute repeater function activated by a pusher at 10 o’clock, allowing the wearer to chime the time on demand. A selector allows the user to switch between the striking modes or a silent mode.
General reviews of the Code 11.59 collection often note its evolution from a debated debut in 2019 to a respected range of high-complication timepieces. Experts highlight the technical prowess required to integrate the Supersonnerie technology, which uses a patented soundboard to achieve the volume and clarity of a pocket watch within a wristwatch case. The aesthetic of this specific anniversary edition is frequently praised for its modern, mechanical appearance and the successful use of sand gold, which provides a striking contrast against the black ceramic elements. While the 41mm size and 13.5mm thickness make it a substantial watch, critics often point to the ingenious case engineering and the exceptional acoustic quality of its chiming functions as its defining strengths.