Audemars Piguet Brings Back the Star Wheel Concept in Code 11.59
A charming display and watch from the early 1990s, now modernized.Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Starwheel 15212NB
The vagabond timepiece is one of the most fascinating showcases in the horological world. If it is often associated with modern independent watchmakers such as Urwerk or Audemars Piguet, it is actually a very old concept dating back to the 17th century. However, if the origins of the system are much older than many assume, Audemars Piguet is often seen as a resurrection of the concept with its famous watch, the Starwheel, which was born in 1991. Long since exiting the collection, the iconic display returns in a bolder, more contemporary take. Meets Code 11.59 for Audemars Piguet Starwheel.
The Wandering Times of the Past and Star Wheels
The vagabond timepiece system dates back to the 17th century (most likely 1655), at the special request of Pope Alexander VII. With insomnia exacerbated by the ticking of the clock, he ordered a night clock from the Campagni brothers, asking that it be quiet and easy to read in the dark. The result is a clock with traveling time, reading the time on a semicircle displaying the quarter-hours, which is also illuminated from within.Wholesale replica watch
This complication later appeared in pocket watches without a backlight, but in the 19th century the popularity of the wandering hour complication began to wane. It will gradually be replaced by the jumping hours typical of the Art Deco period. However, in 1989, an Audemars Piguet watchmaker rediscovered the wandering time system in an article in a Swiss watch magazine. It was a time of heightened creativity as the industry was witnessing a renaissance in mechanical watchmaking.
In 1991, Audemars Piguet launched the Star Wheel watch, reference 25720, an elegant and refined watch with a traveling hour hand and three stars supporting a sapphire hour dial fixed on a large central wheel - A modern structure by revealing the mysterious mechanisms of its operation. Between 1991 and 2003, some 30 Starwheel models were produced, varying in shape and design, belonging to several series, sometimes incorporating other complications such as a minute repeater.replica Franck Muller
Code 11.59 for AUDEMARS PIGUET STARWHEEL
After an absence of almost 20 years (the last of the first-generation Starwheel dates back to 2003), the concept is back. However, as you would expect from Audemars Piguet and its current modern and bold complications, the new Code 11.59 of the Audemars Piguet Starwheel is very different from the original watch, but at the same time has the same spirit.
This watch, like most of its predecessors, is all about exposing complications above the dial. However, the exposure effect of the sapphire disc is gone, replaced by a different perception of wandering time. The Starwheel makes a comeback in Audemars Piguet's Code 11.59 collection, redesigned to match the collection's modern styling - and has now been chosen as AP's complication.online replica watches
This new version of the Audemars Piguet Star Wheel has a Code 11.59 architectural case with white gold for the bezel, lugs and case back, and black ceramic for the case middle and crown. The sharp color contrast enhances the handsome, sophisticated shape of this watch. All parts are meticulously ground, with polished bevels and a satin finish complementing each other. Wear it here with a casual textured black rubber-coated strap.
The most important thing is the dial located under the double-curved sapphire crystal. Here, needless to say. The blue aventurine back serves as a backdrop for a ballet of discs that spin on their own axes and on a central axis – like planets in a microcosm. The three slightly domed discs are made of aluminium, PVD-treated, stained black, and then sandblasted in opalescent white. The white swimming hour numerals are then transferred to the dial. Framed by a glossy black inner flange, the dial features the all-time classic 120-degree minute sector, and a seconds track connected to the central seconds hand, unprecedented for an Audemars Piguet starwheel. What the brand has done to add more animation, more playfulness to complications.Greubel Forsey Watches replica
Under the sapphire caseback is a well-known base movement shared with the classic time-only Code 11.59 watch. A new version of this movement, Caliber 4310, has a module at the top to display the fantastic hours. The module is driven by a central shaft that completes one revolution in 3 hours, which itself drives 3 discs by driving the star wheels below. Despite the new modules, the movement retains its 70-hour power reserve.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – AUDEMARS PIGUET STARWHEEL CODE 11.59
Case: Diameter 41mm x Height 10.7mm - black ceramic case middle and crown, 18k white gold bezel, lugs and case back - doubly curved sapphire crystal with AR coating - sapphire caseback - 30m water resistance
Dial: Blue aventurine dial, black opal aluminum disc, 18k white gold hands and black inner bezel
Movement: Caliber 4310 - In-house (base 4309 with starwheel module on top) - Automatic - 32mm x 6.05mm - 32 jewels - 28,800 vibrations/hour - 70 hours power reserve - 261 components - Fanned at 120 degrees Hours, minutes and central seconds on zones
Strap: Textured black rubber coated strap with 18k white gold pin buckle
Ref: 15212NB.OO.A002KB.01
