23 complications and 40 functions housed in the new Calibre 1000 with over 1,100 components. These impressive numbers sum up Audemars Piguet's first ultra-complicated self-winding wristwatch, which makes its debut in the Code 11.59 collection and brings together most of the innovations in the field of research and development introduced since 2015 since the RD # 1. The functions on offer include Grande Sonnerie Supersonnerie, minute repeater, perpetual calendar, split-seconds chronograph and flying tourbillon. It is a tribute to one of the brand's historic watches: the Universelle of 1899, one of the most complicated watches ever made by the manufacture, with 19 complications.
In the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Ultra-Complication Universelle RD#4, such a complicated calibre (34.3 mm in diameter and 8.75 mm thick) is housed in a 42 mm by 15.5 mm thick case. According to Giulio Papi, "This new Ultra-Complication is the culmination of several decades of research, design and production of many different types of complicated mechanisms that have put ergonomics at the forefront of the development process. To achieve the highest level of reliability while keeping the thickness of our calibres to a minimum, we believe that a mechanical function with an ergonomic focus opens up a new avenue for Audemars Piguet and for the entire watch industry."
One of the main technical developments consisted in simplifying the use of the functions, with three crowns and three push-buttons. The latter, large enough to be activated with the finger, were discreetly integrated on the left side of the case (one for the minute repeater, the other two for correcting the moon and day indications).
On the right-hand side, three crowns with coaxial push-buttons allow the watch to be wound, the time and date to be set with the central crown, and the ringing mode to be selected (Grande Sonnerie, Petite Sonnerie or silence mode).
It is offered in 4 variants in white or rose gold, each with a different dial, closed or skeletonised.
Price: on request.
