Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Chronographe: owner reviews and feedback

The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph, launched in 2019, is one of the founding watches of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection and accompanies its introduction with a major mechanical development: calibre 4401, the first integrated selfwinding chronograph of this new generation developed and manufactured by the Manufacture. The watch adopts a 41 mm case whose apparently round appearance conceals a much more complex construction: an octagonal middle case positioned between a circular caseback and an extremely thin round bezel, architectural lugs and a double-curved sapphire crystal. Its tricompax dial displays small seconds, a minute counter, an hour counter and a date between 4 and 5 o’clock. The chronograph has a column wheel and flyback function allowing the counters to reset and a new measurement to begin immediately.

Since 2019, the model has developed principally through its dials, materials and finishes: pink or white gold, ceramic, stainless steel, smoked dials and later a stamped pattern created specifically for the collection.

Design and legibility: a round case concealing an octagon

From the front, the Code 11.59 Chronograph appears comparatively classical: round bezel, round dial and conventional strap. Its profile nevertheless reveals a much more unusual construction. The middle case has an octagonal geometry whose eight sides are partially hidden by the circular bezel and caseback. Its extremely slim lugs are attached to the bezel at their upper section and simply rest against the caseback below. Surfaces alternate satin-brushing and polishing so that the structure appears differently according to light and viewing angle. The octagonal middle case enclosed between a round bezel and circular caseback forms the essential distinguishing feature of the Code 11.59 Chronograph. This construction establishes a discreet connection with the octagon historically associated with Audemars Piguet without directly reproducing the Royal Oak aesthetic. The chronograph therefore retains a considerably dressier identity despite its highly elaborate case architecture.

The sapphire crystal also plays a major part in the design. Its exterior surface curves vertically from 6 to 12 o’clock while the inner surface has a spherical curvature. This double geometry changes the way the dial is perceived when the watch is viewed from an angle and produces controlled distortions around its edge. The earliest references use mirror-polished lacquered dials with slim markers and a single Arabic numeral at 12 o’clock, whereas recent generations remove this numeral in favour of elongated, faceted indexes. The double-curved crystal creates unusual visual depth without artificially increasing dial complexity. Despite three counters, central chronograph seconds, the date and peripheral scale, the layout remains comparatively balanced through subdials positioned at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. On newer references, luminous material also improves the reading of hands and indexes.

The dial is the component that has evolved most since launch. Models from 2019 use glossy black or blue lacquer with matching counters. In 2020, smoked blue, burgundy, purple and grey dials appear, with colours becoming progressively darker towards the edge. In 2021, certain references combine this aesthetic with vertical satin-brushing and a ceramic middle case. From 2023, Audemars Piguet introduces a new stamped pattern made from concentric circles and hundreds of small cavities that create much stronger variations in reflected light. The stamped dial introduced in 2023 represents the principal aesthetic break in the collection since launch. It also replaces the Arabic 12 o’clock numeral with simpler hour markers and visually moves the watch towards a contemporary sporting chronograph while retaining its highly architectural case.

Case, strap and comfort: complex 41 mm construction but only 30 metres

The Selfwinding Chronograph remains principally associated with a 41 mm diameter and 12.6 mm thickness. These dimensions are relatively restrained for an integrated automatic chronograph, although its open case architecture, pushers and extended attachments give it more wrist presence than a simple round dress watch of the same diameter. The case can be manufactured entirely in pink or white gold, fully in stainless steel or combine black ceramic with gold or steel. The 41 mm diameter has remained the historical point of balance for the Code 11.59 Chronograph since 2019. Both the front crystal and transparent caseback are anti-reflective sapphire, allowing the movement and its oscillating weight to be observed. The crown is not screw-down and the rectangular pushers remain integrated into the case lines to avoid visually overloading the profile.

Water resistance is only 30 metres on documented 41 mm references. This level is appropriate for accidental splashes and everyday urban life but clearly positions the Code 11.59 Chronograph as a haute horlogerie watch rather than a sports chronograph intended for water. This is an interesting contrast with its flyback calibre and modern textured rubber straps, which might suggest more intensive use. The 30-metre water-resistance rating is the principal practical limitation of the model for genuinely sporting use. The watch should therefore be removed before swimming and water resistance deserves periodic testing on an older example. This constraint is nevertheless coherent with the pursuit of case thinness, the numerous interfaces between its components and the overall purpose of the collection.

The earliest references are principally delivered on hand-stitched alligator with a pin buckle matching the case metal. Audemars Piguet subsequently introduces rubber-coated straps and, on more contemporary references, textured rubber straps whose colour directly matches the dial. Construction remains conventional with separate attachments rather than a genuinely integrated bracelet. The textured rubber strap creates an interesting balance between the dressy character of the case and the sporting function of the chronograph. Alligator produces a more formal presentation but requires greater care around moisture. Rubber better withstands everyday wear and visually lightens certain gold versions. Pin buckles remain the standard solution, a comparatively simple choice at this level but one that also limits thickness beneath the wrist compared with a substantial folding clasp.

Calibre 4401: integrated chronograph, column wheel and flyback

Calibre 4401 is one of the principal technical reasons for the existence of the model. It is an integrated automatic chronograph, meaning that the timing function is designed directly into the movement architecture rather than added as a module attached to a base calibre. The movement measures 32 mm in diameter and 6.8 mm thick. Contemporary versions contain 40 jewels and approximately 381 components. Calibre 4401 combines an integrated construction, column wheel and flyback function. The column wheel controls the start, stop and reset operations of the chronograph, while the vertical clutch notably limits the jump of the central hand when timing begins. The movement also offers manual winding, hacking seconds, small seconds, date and chronograph hour and minute totalisers.

The flyback function makes it possible to press the reset pusher directly while the chronograph is running. The central hand and counters instantly return to zero and restart without requiring separate stop, reset and start operations. Historically developed for rapidly timing consecutive intervals, notably in aviation, the function is primarily interesting here as a mechanical feature and a convenient way of measuring repeated sequences. The flyback enables two consecutive timed intervals to be linked through a single press of the lower pusher. The movement also retains an architecture that is relatively easy to understand through the caseback: the chronograph system, levers and part of the column wheel can be observed through the sapphire, making the caseback more interesting than decoration simply hiding the functional components.

The calibre operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, and provides a minimum power reserve of 70 hours. This allows the watch to be removed for much of a weekend without necessarily needing to be reset. Its openworked oscillating weight is made from 22-carat gold and leaves much of the bridges and decoration visible. Finishing notably includes Geneva stripes, straight graining, circular graining and bevelled components across the visible movement. The 70-hour reserve is a practical advantage for a watch likely to alternate with other pieces within a collection. The date can be adjusted quickly through the crown and appears between 4 and 5 o’clock, a position imposed by the chronograph architecture but comparatively discreet on the dial. Servicing naturally remains that of a haute horlogerie chronograph and will be more expensive than maintenance of a simple three-hand watch.

Chronological milestones and main models (2019–2025)

(2019) Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Chronograph Pink Gold Black Dial:

This reference forms part of the inaugural collection and provides one of the most restrained interpretations of the model. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph 26393OR.OO.A002CR.01 has a 41 mm 18-carat pink-gold case approximately 12.6 mm thick, a double-curved anti-reflective sapphire crystal and transparent sapphire caseback. Water resistance reaches 30 metres. Its mirror-finished black lacquered dial uses three black counters surrounded by gold, applied pink-gold hour markers and a single Arabic numeral at 12 o’clock. The date appears between 4 and 5 o’clock. Automatic calibre 4401 operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, contains 40 jewels and provides 70 hours of power reserve. Its column wheel, vertical clutch and flyback provide a genuinely integrated timing mechanism. The watch is fitted with a hand-stitched black alligator strap and pink-gold pin buckle.

(2020) Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Chronograph Smoked Burgundy:

The collection’s second year brings a mainly aesthetic development intended to create considerably more dial depth. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph 26393BC.OO.A068CR.01 uses a 41 mm 18-carat white-gold case measuring 12.6 mm thick, with double-curved sapphire, transparent caseback and 30 metres of water resistance. Its burgundy lacquered dial has a smoked sunburst effect: the colour becomes darker towards the periphery and contrasts with white-gold hands and markers. Its three counters follow the same palette while the date remains positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock. Manufacture calibre 4401 provides flyback chronograph, small seconds, date, hours and minutes with 70 hours of power reserve and a 4 Hz frequency. Its hand-stitched burgundy alligator strap directly extends the dial colour, giving this version a substantially more expressive appearance than the original black models.

(2021) Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Chronograph Pink Gold and Black Ceramic:

For the first time, the collection introduces black ceramic into its case and uses the multi-layer construction to create genuine contrast between materials. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph 26393NR.OO.A002KB.01 combines an octagonal black ceramic middle case with an 18-carat pink-gold bezel, lugs, crown, pushers and caseback. Diameter remains 41 mm, thickness 12.6 mm and water resistance 30 metres. Its smoked grey dial receives vertical satin-finishing that visually continues the lines of the case, with dark counters and pink-gold details. Automatic calibre 4401 retains a 4 Hz frequency, 70 hours of reserve, column wheel, vertical clutch and flyback. The sapphire caseback reveals the openworked rotor. This version is paired with a black rubber-coated strap, a combination that reinforces the more contemporary and sporting character of the watch.

(2023) Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Chronograph Bleu Nuit in Stainless Steel:

The introduction of stainless steel represents a major stage in the history of Code 11.59, previously principally associated with precious metals and ceramic. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph 26393ST.OO.A348KB.01 has a completely stainless-steel case measuring 41 mm and 12.6 mm thick, a double-curved anti-reflective sapphire crystal and sapphire caseback. Water resistance remains 30 metres. Its “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” dial introduces the new signature stamped pattern formed from concentric circles and multiple small cavities. Blue counters are complemented by grey zones and white-gold hour markers with luminous material. Calibre 4401 provides flyback chronograph, small seconds and date with 70 hours of autonomy. The textured blue rubber strap uses a stainless-steel pin buckle. This generation also eliminates the Arabic numeral at 12 o’clock in favour of longer and more restrained hour markers.

(2023) Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Chronograph Steel and Ceramic Beige:

The same development introduces a more unusual two-tone interpretation combining stainless steel and black ceramic. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph 26393QT.OO.A064KB.01 uses an octagonal black ceramic middle case surrounded by a stainless-steel bezel, lugs and caseback. Its case retains a 41 mm diameter, approximately 12.6 mm thickness, a double-curved sapphire crystal and 30 metres of water resistance. The beige dial uses the new stamped concentric pattern and creates a very different contrast from the usual black, grey or blue shades of the collection. Three counters retain the 3-6-9 layout and the date remains positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock. The automatic movement from the 4401 family supplies 70 hours of reserve and flyback functionality. Its matching beige strap combines textile or rubber elements depending on configuration and gives this version a less formal personality than the earliest gold references.

(2024) Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Chronograph Pink Gold Green:

Five years after the collection’s launch, Audemars Piguet transfers the aesthetic evolution introduced on the 2023 steel models to a series of pink-gold references. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph 26393OR.OO.A056KB.01 uses a 41 mm 18-carat pink-gold case approximately 12.6 mm thick with double-curved sapphire, transparent caseback and 30 metres of water resistance. Its green dial has the signature stamped pattern developed with Swiss guilloché craftsman Yann von Kaenel, while faceted pink-gold markers and hands use luminous material. Its counters adopt different green shades and the date remains discreetly positioned between 4 and 5 o’clock. Calibre 4401 retains a column wheel, flyback function, 4 Hz frequency and 70 hours of power reserve. A textured green rubber-coated strap with pink-gold pin buckle gives this precious-metal case a noticeably more contemporary appearance.

(2025) Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Chronograph Grey and Bleu Nuit:

For Audemars Piguet’s 150th anniversary, the steel range receives a new and significantly more discreet colour combination. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph 26393ST.OO.A009KB.01 retains the 41 mm stainless-steel case, 12.6 mm thickness, double-curved sapphire crystal and 30 metres of water resistance. Its principal dial colour is grey, while the outer sections of the counters at 3 and 9 o’clock receive “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” accents and the 6 o’clock counter becomes entirely blue. Its hour markers and hands are 18-carat white gold with luminous material. Automatic calibre 4401 has 40 jewels, operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides 70 hours of reserve with flyback chronograph and date. A textured grey rubber strap echoes the main dial colour and closes with a stainless-steel pin buckle, creating a more everyday appearance than the gold versions.

Choosing the right version: gold, steel, original dial or new generation

The first choice concerns dial style. References from 2019 retain a very smooth and formal presentation with mirror lacquer, a 12 o’clock Arabic numeral and slim markers. Smoked dials from 2020 add depth and more colour without changing that architecture. Stamped models appearing from 2023 have far more texture and simpler markers. Post-2023 references are the most relevant for someone seeking the current visual identity of Code 11.59. The earliest generations will have greater appeal for someone wanting the collection’s original configuration.

Case material significantly changes how the watch is perceived. Pink gold provides warmth and contrast with black, blue or green dials, while white gold is considerably more discreet. Stainless steel visually reduces the dressy character and facilitates daily use even though the construction and finishing remain highly sophisticated. Black ceramic particularly highlights the central octagon of the case. Versions combining ceramic and metal make the complex architecture of the middle case most immediately understandable. On a monochromatic watch entirely in gold or stainless steel, the octagon can remain almost invisible from the front.

For regular use, stainless steel and rubber are the easiest configurations to live with. Gold is naturally more sensitive to marks and alligator straps require greater care. In every case, 30 metres of water resistance limits sporting use despite the chronograph. A Code 11.59 Chronograph should not be chosen as an only watch when swimming and water activities are part of everyday life. It is far better suited to the office, travel and urban use where its relative thinness and comfort can be fully appreciated.

Calibre 4401 is shared across most of the lineage and makes the choice considerably more aesthetic than mechanical. The first references already provide 70 hours, a column wheel, vertical clutch and flyback. Subsequent developments principally concern the rotor, decoration and certain setting details rather than a radical transformation of chronograph functionality. It is therefore unnecessary to automatically prioritise a recent reference in order to obtain the essential performance of the model. A well-maintained 2019 example retains a movement that is technically very close in principle to a current version.

Finally, case condition is particularly important on the pre-owned market. Its numerous bevels, polished surfaces and satin-finished lines make excessive polishing far more obvious than on a simple round case. Flyback operation, hand alignment after resetting and service history should also be checked. An example with sharp case lines and a correctly maintained movement is preferable to a watch excessively polished to appear new. Replacing a strap is relatively straightforward, whereas restoration of the case or dial can be substantially more expensive. Other customers’ opinions are essential.

Conclusion

The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Chronograph is aimed at enthusiasts seeking a contemporary haute horlogerie chronograph without reproducing the immediately recognisable aesthetic of the Royal Oak. Its 41 mm case combines circle and octagon, while the double-curved crystal and complex lugs give the watch much more depth than a strictly frontal view might suggest. Calibre 4401 provides a column wheel, vertical clutch, flyback and 70 hours of reserve from 2019, meaning subsequent generations evolve principally through their materials and dials. References from 2019 to 2021 focus on lacquer, gradients and precious metals, while the arrival of stainless steel and the stamped pattern in 2023 gives the collection a more sporting and assertive personality. Its 30 metres of water resistance remains the principal practical limitation.

To compare comfort, accuracy, finishing quality and chronograph operation with extended real-world ownership, Dialicious customer reviews provide a particularly useful complement.

(Updated August 2026)