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Recommended Reading: The Naked Watchmaker deconstructs the Audemars Piguet Code 11:59 Chronograph Recommended Reading: The Naked Watchmaker deconstructs the Audemars Piguet Code 11:59 Chronograph

Recommended Reading: The Naked Watchmaker deconstructs the Audemars Piguet Code 11:59 Chronograph

Thor Svaboe

The Naked Watchmaker is one of our favourite sites for profound insights into what lies behind many an intricate case design and sapphire caseback. This is not a new story, but the raison d’être for TNW is to allow us the pleasure of taking some time to educate ourselves on a deeper level rather than offering brief glimpses of the latest drop. And what better than to have a look back at the hotly debated Code 11:59 from Audemars Piguet.

It’s no secret that the temperature reached boiling point in many a watch forum when Audemars Piguet had the nerve to release something unrecognisable and non-octagonal (well not quite, more on that later), but the series has grown, both on me and in the number of complications and dial delights. My favourite within what was an intricate and obsessively designed case, was a flying tourbillon released last year , that more than boggled my mind with its neo-gothic skeletonized dial. But The Naked Watchmaker has looked at the debut Code 11:59 chronograph, the first reference for the calibre 4401.

While the Code 11:59 dial is ideal for a chronograph complication with its balanced layout, your entire perception changes when taking the watch in hand and examining the case. The space-saving cut-outs in the lugs are what you’ll first notice, with every edge of the brushed architecture having the sharpest of bevelling work, and yes, there’s the octagon. The recessed centre case section is discernibly striated in what is some of the best brushing I’ve seen on an 18K case, and the blend of the outer facing gold being brushed while the horizontal sections are polished makes a dazzling scene with even the slightest ray of sun.

But, this is about the magic that happens when Peter Marin walks us through step by step of a deconstruction, where the intense level of craftsmanship of the 4401 movement is revealed. A thoroughly contemporary calibre with a 70 hour power reserve, 40 jewels and 367 components is revealed through the eyes and lens of The Naked Watchmaker. Reading this, I needed two cups of coffee and became so distracted I forgot an appointment – you have been warned.

To read the full and fascinating article on the deconstruction of the Code 11:59 chronograph, you will find the full story here, and do remember to sign up for their fascinating newsletter.