The Swiss manufacture Audemars Piguet once again demonstrates why it has belonged to the absolute elite of watchmaking for over a century. In 2026, the brand unveiled the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Openworked – the first model in the history of this collection to feature a skeletonized perpetual calendar.
The premiere is part of a series of technological innovations developed by the manufactory after its 150th anniversary. The new watch is not just another luxury offering – it is a demonstration of the possibilities of contemporary haute horlogerie, where traditional craftsmanship meets modern movement architecture and sophisticated design.
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 – the model that changes everything
When the Code 11.59 collection debuted in 2019, it sparked widespread discussion in the watch world. Since then, the line has become one of the brand’s most important areas for technological experimentation.
The Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Openworked model is the best example of this. For the first time in the history of this series, an openworked construction has been used for the perpetual calendar mechanism. The transparent dial allows you to observe almost the entire architecture of the movement, making the watch resemble a kinetic sculpture—here, mechanics become an aesthetic element, not just a functional one.
The debut of the model also confirms the strategic role of the Code 11.59 collection in the Audemars Piguet portfolio—as a platform for the most advanced complications.
The mechanical heart of the watch
At the heart of the construction operates the modern automatic Audemars Piguet Calibre 7139 movement, developed specifically for models with a skeletonized perpetual calendar.
The mechanism operates at a frequency of 4 Hz and offers approximately 55 hours of power reserve. One of the most important innovations is the system that allows all indications to be adjusted exclusively via the crown.
In many watches with a perpetual calendar, setting the functions requires using several small corrector pushers placed in the case. In this model, the designers have simplified the operation—all indications can be adjusted with a single element. This solution significantly improves the ergonomics of using one of the most complex mechanical complications.
The architecture of the perpetual calendar
The perpetual calendar, known in watchmaking as the Perpetual Calendar, is one of the most prestigious complications. The mechanism automatically accounts for the varying lengths of months and leap years, and in theory, requires adjustment only in the year 2100.
In the Code 11.59 model, the indications are arranged in a classic manner, maintaining legibility despite the transparent dial design. The watch displays:
- day of the week at 9 o’clock
- the date at 12 o’clock
- leap months and years at 3 o’clock
- the Moon phase at 6 o’clock
- week number on the ring around the dial
- 24-hour indicator
Particularly striking is the moon phase indicator made of black aventurine glass, whose subtle sheen evokes a starry night sky.
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59. Design inspired by architecture
One of the most distinctive features of the Code 11.59 collection remains its complex case construction. The Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Openworked model features a case with a diameter of 41 mm and a thickness of approximately 10.6 mm.
The bezel and case back are made of white gold, while the middle part of the case is crafted from black ceramic. The entire watch is covered by a curved sapphire crystal, which enhances the sense of depth of the dial.
An interesting design detail is the hidden octagonal core of the case, located between the round bezel and the case back. This is a subtle nod to one of the brand’s most recognizable models – Royal Oak.
The transparent dial with smoked counters allows you to observe the movement’s operation while maintaining clear readability of the indications.
The tradition of haute horlogerie in a modern edition
Although the watch’s design is decidedly contemporary, its finishing remains true to classic watchmaking craftsmanship.
The mechanism is adorned with hand-crafted details such as beveled bridges, satin-finished surfaces, and polished edges. The openwork rotor and the contrast between gold-toned elements and the gray components of the mechanism create a sense of spatial depth.
It is precisely the combination of modern design with traditional finishing techniques that defines the contemporary approach to haute horlogerie.
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Compared to the Competition
The perpetual calendar watch segment is among the most prestigious in the industry. The main competitors include models from manufactures such as Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and A. Lange & Söhne.
Against this backdrop, the construction of the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 stands out primarily for its openworked architecture. The design showcases the movement as the central element of the project. Equally important is the ergonomics of operation. The system allowing all indications to be adjusted with a single crown remains a rarity in the world of perpetual calendars.
The modern design of the Code 11.59 collection also contrasts with the more classic style of many competing models.
Prestige and limited availability
Audemars Piguet watches are produced in relatively small quantities. However, the most complex models are mainly reserved for the brand’s regular clients.
The price of the Code 11.59 Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Openworked model is not officially published. In practice, however, watches with a perpetual calendar of this class reach values counted in the hundreds of thousands of zlotys, and in some configurations can even exceed one million zlotys.
That’s why, for collectors, these are not only unique luxury items. They are also an excellent investment opportunity.
A symbol of the maturity of the Code 11.59 collection
A few years ago, the Code 11.59 collection was one of the most talked-about lines in the watch industry. Today, many experts believe it has achieved full stylistic and technological maturity.
Model Code 11.59 Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar Openworked demonstrates that the brand uses this collection as a space for its most ambitious projects. This is a watch that not only measures time but also showcases the artistry of contemporary mechanics—and serves as a reminder that in the world of luxury watchmaking, true innovation still goes hand in hand with tradition.
