Comments:
Left: 3rd generation , Middle: 2nd generation, Right: 1st generation
1st generation ☝️
2nd generation☝️with a stunning blue dial
Octagon just like RO/ROO ☝️
3rd generation ☝️with brushed dial and fabric strap
Great contrast of the black ceramic with rose gold case ☝️
Hi AP fans, Thanks to your comments and questions on my last post, I happily :-) “forced” myself to go back to AP House to check out the code 11.59 line-up !
Left: 3rd generation , Middle: 2nd generation, Right: 1st generation
Thanks to the helpfulness and patience of the same senior sales associate Vincent whom I met previously, I was fortunate enough to inspect and compare three generations of the 11.59. The evolution of the three watches, as explained by Vincent, was interesting to me as someone new to AP.
1st generation ☝️
1st generation: Curved Sapphire crystal with a magnifying effect to enlarge the size of the dial to the eyes. This thoughtful function is welcoming for my aging eyes 😉. The dial is well balanced and carries the lineage of the Royal Oak octagon design when the watch is viewed on its side. This detail is quite smart because the code, as a new watch, has its own design and identity, while is bestowed with the heritage of its iconic RO/ROO siblings. To me, the thickness is also a feature which is well liked by AP ROO fans. It also carries a new movement.
2nd generation☝️with a stunning blue dial
2nd generation: A beautiful smoky blue dial which is mesmerizing. The rose gold case matches well with the blue dial, providing an eye-catching opulent look with elegance.
Octagon just like RO/ROO ☝️
3rd generation ☝️with brushed dial and fabric strap
Great contrast of the black ceramic with rose gold case ☝️
3rd generation: A smoky grey dial with a vertical brushed finish which adds another dimension to this new look. The big change of course is the ceramic middle ring that enhances the side-views of this watch. The two-tone effect is prominent as the contrast between the rose gold and black ceramic is highly visible, especially given the sizable thickness of the watch.
IMO, AP has meticulously instilled certain elements of its DNA (i.e. RO and ROO), such as octagon shape and thickness/wrist, into the code. This product extension apparently is gaining momentum and each generation has noticeable enhancements. The overall design is refreshing and the sizable hollow lugs add to the wrist presence. If I could pick, I would combine the smoky blue dial of the second generation with the ceramic ring of the 3rd generation. In terms of improvements, I would take out the minute markers to have a cleaner dial. Currently all the sub-dials contain the dash markers, and when they are combined with the ones for the minute markers, the dial is a bit busy.
What are your thoughts on the code ?
p.s. The AP poison ☠️ got deeper for me 🤪
Not good I'm afraid
Didn't know Daniel Wellington or Police watches cost so much. Sorry for me no bueno!!!
No worries: To each his/her own !
Why do you think they look like Daniel Wellington or Police watches ?
Not impressed (with the design)
The build quality, technical nature of the watch, and the movement are all impeccable but IMHO the "less is more" design strategy here has missed the mark.
Good question
And to be fair, design a new dial is HARD so maybe I’m being a bit too hard.
It's neither fish nor flesh
It's a sort of hybrid watch.
It can't definitely be seen as a dress watch mostly because it's too thick, the chrono feature provides more unbalance to the dial, because of the counters and hands.
And please, remove the date.
It can't definitely be seen as a dress watch mostly because it's too thick, the chrono feature provides more unbalance to the dial, because of the counters and hands.
And please, remove the date.
ummm...I see what you meant by the thickness not appropriate for a dress watch. To me, perhaps only two
subdials are needed to make the dial more balanced.
Agree with your assessment on removal of the date.
Agree with your assessment on removal of the date.
Getting better
There are only a handful of RO collectors I know that has bought the Code and liked it, and not because they needed to get some credit.
They are getting better, but I would like to see sword hands/ something with a bit more presence, and I am not a fan of the glass thing.
Has potential, lets see the next phase.
If I were to choose one, the rose gold and blue dial.
To me, enhancements on each generation have been attained. AP must be working
hard and investing a lot to ensure its collectors accept the code.
The whole dial design, not strong nor daring enough compared to the great case, and the date on some of them.
I think photos don't do justice...
I may be biased but after seeing the blue dial and ceramic in the flesh, I must say that the dials, case, crystal, and new movement, the CODE Chronographs definitely hold a soft spot in my heart.
If you see below - there seems to be a nice fit of the CODE models with existing RO models - as a slightly more dressy, yet "great with a t-shirt and jeans" type of watch. Less in your face with the offshore, less blingy than the RO Jumbo, less stealthy with the ceramic.
Thanks for sharing your experience - I did notice in my trip to LA and Chicago that supply for RO, and CODE was nonexistent - maybe some is "hidden" but perhaps demand is clearly increasing for these models. Time will tell!
Cheers
Peter
If you see below - there seems to be a nice fit of the CODE models with existing RO models - as a slightly more dressy, yet "great with a t-shirt and jeans" type of watch. Less in your face with the offshore, less blingy than the RO Jumbo, less stealthy with the ceramic.
Thanks for sharing your experience - I did notice in my trip to LA and Chicago that supply for RO, and CODE was nonexistent - maybe some is "hidden" but perhaps demand is clearly increasing for these models. Time will tell!
Cheers
Peter
Demand is definitely increasing.
To say that Ro owners are not pining for the code is possibly true, but the goal of ap was not to get ap owners interested, it was to get people interested in ap who don't necessarily love the ro/roo. It was to bring in a new breed of ap lovers. I do actually like the newer codes and will be getting one soon.
Great point…
I think for some RO collectors like me, it was a good brand extension that fed my appetite for the brand.
I’m also glad to see de novo collectors joining in as well - I bet the new members are even more passionate than the old, like me
Look forward to seeing your new CODE soon! I may be a double CODE owner in the near future…
Cheers
Peter
I’m also glad to see de novo collectors joining in as well - I bet the new members are even more passionate than the old, like me
Look forward to seeing your new CODE soon! I may be a double CODE owner in the near future…
Cheers
Peter
Waiting for your “third gen” version :)
But who knows if there will be new dials or movements between now and then. I’m super happy with my blue aventurine dial so probably better to diversify into other colors…
Cheers
Peter
Cheers
Peter
Congrats in advance in getting a code !
Which one will it be ? Look forwarding to reading your review and wrist shots !
I went with 2nd gen
It has a two tone sandwich case. Great watch for the summer and when i go down to Florida.
Thanks Peter for your thoughtful comments ! AP must be
happy to have collectors like you to appreciate the different aspects of the code.
Thanks…
Perhaps first time seeing it online when it was released, I was not totally bought into the concept, but after experiencing it first hand on the wrist, and also vis-a-vis other AP models and “sporty dress” models of other brands I realized it fits extremely well within my collection and interests in the long-term. Now, it’s probably the watch that gets the most wrist time in the family.
Cheers!
Peter
Cheers!
Peter
Had a Look at the 1st Gen a Long while ago.
Liked the case a lot, even though it's too large for me (and judging from the pictures it seems to be too large for your wrist as well). The whole dial - index - hands configuration seemed to be very generic to me, though. Not much character there. Also not much of a fan of the date placement.