Three years after the launch of the Code 11.59 collection, Audemars Piguet has expanded its offer with a new, intriguing timepiece, which represents the revival of one of the favourite complications of the nineties...
Introducing the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Starwheel, the spiritual successor to the original Audemars Piguet Star Wheel from 1991, which was famous for its wandering clock system. Before presenting the details of this new model, it is very important to look at the genesis of the wandering clock, which dates back to the 17th century. This complication is believed to have been created by the Campani brothers during the 1600s for Pope Alexander VII who suffered from insomnia, which was further aggravated by the ticking of the clock. The Pope wanted a clock that would be quiet and easy to read in the dark, and thus the wandering clock system was born.
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In the late 1980s, a watchmaker from Audemars Piguet came across this system in an article in the Swiss Journal of Horology and managed to give it new life in the 1991 AP Star Wheel model. The Swiss brand introduced around 30 Star Wheel models over the next 12 years, but this complication slowly lost its lustre, leading to the discontinuation of its production. Almost two decades later, AP brings it back to life, presenting it in a modern and daring avatar, namely the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Starwheel.
The new Star Wheel model has a case with a diameter of 41 mm that perfectly follows the design language of the Code 11.59 collection. Its alluring architecture includes a combination of a black ceramic case and crown with a white gold base, lugs and caseback created from the same material.
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A dual-rounded sapphire crystal protects the blue aventurine dial, along with discs that rotate on their own axes as well as a central axis. The trio of discs are crafted from aluminium and feature black accents thanks to the PVD treatment, while each is given a sandblasted, opaline finish.
They "roam" across the dial, with the current hour located next to the current minute, along with a 120-minute bar located at the top of the dial. The sophisticated system is truly mesmerizing to behold. The Star Wheel model is powered by the automatic Calibre 4310, which offers a power reserve of 70 hours. When it comes to price, the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Starwheel will set you back $58,000.
