The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Grande Sonnerie Carillon Supersonnerie reference 26397NB.OO.D002KB.01 is a highly complicated 41mm timepiece that features a multi-material case construction. It combines an 18-carat white gold bezel, lugs, and caseback with a black ceramic octagonal mid-case. The watch is distinguished by its transparent sapphire crystal dial, which reveals the hand-finished movement and is complemented by white gold and black hour-markers and hands. It is fitted with a black rubber-coated strap with light grey stitching and an 18-carat white gold folding clasp.
The timepiece is powered by the manual-winding caliber 2956, a complex movement consisting of 498 parts with a 48-hour power reserve. Its primary complications include a Grande Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie, and a carillon-style minute repeater equipped with three gongs and hammers to produce high, middle, and low tones. This model also incorporates the brand’s patented Supersonnerie technology, which uses a specialized soundboard to enhance acoustic volume and clarity. Additional functions include hours, minutes, and a small seconds display at the 6 o’clock position.
General reviews of the Code 11.59 collection note its polarizing nature, often highlighting that the intricate case architecture and double-curved sapphire crystal are more impressive in person than in photographs. While the initial launch of the line faced criticism for its aesthetic departure from the Royal Oak, the more recent complicated models with ceramic mid-cases have been praised for their mechanical sophistication and technical execution. Collectors generally appreciate the transparency of the sapphire dial on this specific reference, though some critics maintain that the overall design language remains a significant departure from traditional Audemars Piguet styling.