The CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Flying Tourbillon Chronograph: Unconventional Symmetry Brought About by Audemars Piguet's Manufacture

Audemars Piguet has grown to become one of the world's leading watch brands. This rapid growth has been driven by the shift to a manufacture-style interior and exterior design since the 2000s. Having enhanced the robustness of its basic movements, the company has now made a complete turn toward pursuing uniqueness in its complications. The flying tourbillon chronograph added to the CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet represents an unconventional approach to achieving symmetry.

Symmetry achieved by placing the column wheel on the same axis as the tourbillon

　Since the 2000s, Audemars Piguet has been working to manufacture its interiors and exteriors. One of the culminations of this effort is undoubtedly the "CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet" (hereinafter referred to as "CODE 11.59"), released in 19. It is equipped with two completely new core calibers. According to Lucas Raggi, the company's Director of Research and Development, "Audemars Piguet's exterior has evolved significantly with the CODE 11.59."

　Another major feature of the CODE 11.59 was its unprecedented scalability. By eliminating or thinning the cage that supports the movement, it became possible to freely mount complex mechanisms of various sizes. Normally, eliminating the cage makes it difficult to accurately position the movement. However, as Audemars Piguet became a manufacture in terms of exterior design as well, it was able to break away from the classical case structure that relies on the cage.

　While the Code 11.59 complications, such as the Supersonnerie and Tourbillon, are all outstanding timepieces, perhaps the one that most embodies Audemars Piguet today is the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Flying Tourbillon Chronograph. Audemars Piguet has taken an already complex mechanism and added an intriguing yet difficult element to it: symmetry.

　Having given the CODE 11.59's Caliber 4300 and 4400 series movements enough robustness for use in sports watches, Audemars Piguet has now taken a step back and decided to add visual individuality to its complications. One example of this is symmetry. Having successfully created skeletonized wristwatches in the 1930s, the company has evolved this into openwork watches, an attempt to showcase the cutouts themselves, rather than the blank spaces. This has become a challenge that ambitious luxury watchmakers have all tackled, but Audemars Piguet has also added a new element: bilateral symmetry. And what's more, it has done so in a complication with a large number of parts.

　Lucas Raggi explains, "The beauty of the human face lies in its symmetry. If that's the case, then the design of a watch should be the same." The design of the caliber 2952 inside this watch was unconventional. A close look at the movement reveals that the column wheel is coaxial with the flying tourbillon. "We deliberately placed the column wheel under the carriage to ensure symmetry. We also redesigned all of the levers used in the chronograph." While this layout certainly makes it easier to achieve symmetry, it also makes assembly more difficult. No watchmaker would enjoy the hassle of installing the tourbillon after fixing the column wheel. However, Audemars Piguet has managed to achieve this unconventional design.

　Despite its ambitious layout, it is still "usable," typical of modern Audemars Piguet. Take the feel of the pushers, for example. While the levers are complicated to operate, the buttons are soft to the touch and have very little wobble. The carriage, which is raised by the column wheel, is also firmly supported by ceramic bearings. If the movement were over 10mm thick, it would be possible to achieve both an unconventional layout and ease of use. However, Audemars Piguet's engineers managed to keep the thickness of the 2952 at just 8.3mm.

　Another major attraction of this watch is the finish, a hallmark of Audemars Piguet. For example, the deeply cut chamfered edges on the plate and bridges. This detail, which can only be achieved by hand, is essential to contemporary design. To emphasize this, Audemars Piguet has given the Cal. 2952 a whopping 111 cuts. Just like the symmetry, this is also unconventional.

　The CODE 11.59 flying tourbillon chronograph may look conventional at first glance, but it is brimming with originality. This writer wonders if Audemars Piguet set out to become a manufacture just to create this model.