Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Ultra-Complication Universelle: The “Aiguille d’Or” at GPHG 2023

Winner of the “Aiguille d’Or” at GPHG 2023

Audemars Piguet launched a highly sophisticated watch that very recently got them The “Aiguille d’Or” at GPHG 2023: The Code 11.59 Universelle, also known as RD#4. In this article we will briefly discuss the complexitity, features and design principles that allowed the Le Brassus brand to win the most precious watchmaking award at CPHG 2023.

The watch pays homage to the L’Universelle pocket watch, a historically significant piece with 19 classic complications. Audemars Piguet's history of creating complex watches is evident in this latest release, which combines advanced technology and functionality in a wristwatch format.

Complications

It features an impressive number of 23 complications and a total of 40 functions. Here is the list of the 23 complications arranged in alphabetical order:

• Accurate astronomical moon
• Automatic winding
• Automatic winding of the Grande Sonnerie barrel Supersonnerie
• Chronograph
• Date Display
• Day display (by discs or aperture)
• Flyback function
• Grande Sonnerie (mode)
• Hours counter (dragging)
• Locking of automatic and manual activation when the barrel is insufficiently wound
• Minute repeater (by pressing a pusher)
• Minutes counter (semi-instantaneous)
• Month display (by discs or aperture)
• Moon phase display
• Perpetual Calendar
• Petite Sonnerie (mode)
• Quarters silence (regularisation of the silence between the hours and minutes)
• Semi-Gregorian (automatic calendar until 2400)
• Silence (mode)
• Split-seconds
• Tourbillon
• Year display

Aesthetics

Design-wise, the Code 11.59 Universelle fits into Audemars Piguet's collection with its recognizable features, including openworked lugs and a complex crystal. It's available in four different editions, each with distinct aesthetics, and is presented in either 18k white or pink gold cases.

The four references are:

When it comes to the movement visuals, all the part showcase advanced horological craftsmanship and the movement is finished with traditional Haute Horlogerie techniques.

Development and movement

The development of the Universelle and its Calibre 1000 began in 2016, aiming to create a highly complicated yet wearable watch that balances complexity, ergonomics, and aesthetics. This model includes features from previous RD collection watches and introduces a user-friendly design despite its numerous complications.

While the exact complication count can be debated, the watch's engineering excellence is undeniable, fitting complex mechanisms into a relatively compact (42mm) case.

This remarkable timepiece, powered by the new Calibre 1000has a 60-hour power reserve and comprises 1,155 parts.

Availability & Price

Only a limited number of these watches will be produced, with an expected price around 1,600,000 Swiss Francs (excluding taxes) for the open dial versions and 1,450,000 for the "solid dial". A hefty price tag for a heavy hitter.