GLau's hands-on review of the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 steel collection offers an invaluable perspective for collectors considering these contemporary references. His detailed observations on dial aesthetics, case materials, and overall wearability provide a critical foundation for understanding AP's evolving design language. This article synthesizes community insights, expanding on GLau's initial impressions and addressing common collector questions and considerations regarding the Code 11.59.
I handled all the Code steel pieces !
Overall I was impressed with most of them. The dials are embossed with a mold with a pattern of concentric circles made by guilloche. Very interesting dials as they have two layers and holes.
I loved the ceramic mid case for the beige dial but in the metal the dial for non-chrono version is too dark on the rim and too bright in the middle IMO. For chrono, this dial is better because the bottom sub-dial is black (the only one out of the three chrono watches) which dampens the brightness in the middle.
The blue looked really good, but for me I already have other blue dials.
The green also looked great and struck a balance between not too bright and not too dull.
The gold Codes have lovely smoky dials but I prefer the stick hour markers in steel pieces. The price point of steel is also lower and so more affordable in attracting younger fans.
My only comment for improvement, which I told AP boutique, was that there was no need have sub-markers for every minute of the non-chrono versions because without the chrono function, there would be no need to measure time so accurately.
What do you think about these steel pieces and which one(s) do you like & why ??
๐Arm shots ๐
