It’s about time that one of the Big 3 of watches introduced a line of watches separate from the Royal Oak. Discontent to rest on the well-established laurels of its iconic Royal Oak collection, the venerable watchmakers at Audemars Piguet are pushing forward into the future under the direction of current chief executive officer François-Henry Bennahmias. Mr. Bennahmias’ instance upon using “new tools, skills and techniques to reach an exceptional degree of technical and aesthetic complexity” is epitomized in the new Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 collection.

The result of more than five years of research and development, CODE 11.59 completely changes the game by embedding an octagonal middlecase within an outer round case that is topped by an innovative double-curved sapphire crystal. The unique arched profile of this crystal interplays with light to produce a dazzling optical depth of perspective. Although packed with references to Audemars Piguet’s past, all six of the models in the CODE 11.59 collection remain distinctly and defiantly modern.