Luxury watch lovers don’t need much convincing when Audemars Piguet drops a new release. But with this one? Let’s just say jaws are on the floor and we’re nodding in collective approval. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Opal Dial doesn’t whisper elegance, it announces it, confidently, in shimmering layers of harlequin fire and 18-carat gold.
At first glance, it's the dial that traps the eye. Opals aren’t easy stones to work with, but Audemars Piguet somehow managed to take that chaotic shimmer and frame it perfectly inside a 41mm pink gold case. The result? One of the most visually striking watches we’ve seen this year. Every turn of the wrist refracts a new wave of green, violet, or red, depending on the light, and depending on your mood, maybe.
Let’s break it down, because the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Opal Dial goes far beyond stunning aesthetics (though wow, what a face). This model also features a grande sonnerie movement, Supersonnerie tech, and one of the most detailed case constructions in modern watchmaking.
What Makes the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Opal Dial Unique?
The uniqueness of the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Opal Dial lies in the dial’s natural stone base and how it’s integrated into a traditionally high-complication timepiece. Each dial is one-of-a-kind. Seriously. Because of the unpredictable structure of precious opals, no two dials will ever look alike. That kind of rarity doesn’t come off a production line, it comes from millions of years underground and a whole lot of patience in the workshop.
Even the case deserves a standing ovation. Constructed entirely in 18-carat pink gold, it’s finished with AP’s signature mix of polished and satin-brushed surfaces. Flip it over and you'll find the special 150th-anniversary logo engraved into the back. A subtle flex, but one collectors will instantly recognize.
The visual balance is what makes it so wearable. Even with that flashy dial, the lack of indices or clutter lets the opal breathe. It’s almost meditative, if meditation involved a five-figure price tag and sounded like a miniature cathedral bell.
All Eyes on the Opal Dial
So what makes the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Opal Dial stand out in a sea of already-stunning luxury pieces? It starts with the dial. This is no stamped brass or enamel face. We’re talking about a real, naturally formed harlequin opal, known for its unpredictable play of color, cut down to a razor-thin 0.45mm and polished until it glows like something from another planet. Audemars didn’t stop there. They added a shimmering green inner bezel and matched it with an alligator leather strap. Bold? Absolutely. But tasteful, and so very AP.
It’s the kind of watch that makes you pause mid-scroll. That kind of visual tension only happens when you pair rare materials with old-school watchmaking. Honestly, if you’re the type who stares at their wrist in meetings, this is going to make you impossibly unproductive.
But this isn’t just a pretty face. The grande sonnerie complication is one of horology’s unicorns, hard to make, harder to master. And inside this piece is the hand-wound Caliber 2956, AP’s secret weapon for combining chimes, carillon, and power in a compact, 41mm case. So yes, you’re wearing a literal bell tower on your wrist, with more elegance and fewer pigeons.
How Is the Opal Dial Crafted in the Code 11.59 Collection?
The dial of the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Opal Dial is crafted through a meticulous, high-risk process that starts with cutting the opal into thin slices, just 0.45 mm thick. That alone sounds terrifying. Think of slicing a soap bubble with a chainsaw. Because opal is rated only 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, it's incredibly fragile. One false move during mounting and it’s game over. So each piece is first mounted to a harder alloy disc to give it strength, then polished until its colors practically jump out of the watch.
What we really appreciate here is how AP doesn’t overdo it. They let the opal shine, literally. No over-the-top detailing or gimmicks. Just a beautiful, natural mineral set into a masterpiece of modern horology. That’s confidence.
How Does The Grande Sonnerie Work In The Code 11.59?
It works like magic with a Swiss passport. The Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Opal Dial runs on the hand-wound Caliber 2956, a movement with 498 parts and enough horological street cred to make any collector’s jaw drop. The Grande Sonnerie complication rings out the time in passing, it chimes automatically without pushing any buttons. Think of it like a musical watch that performs a symphony for you every quarter hour.
Then there's the Supersonnerie tech, a patented system that basically takes traditional chiming to a new level. Developed by AP and first introduced in the Royal Oak Concept (RD#1), this tech offers sharper, clearer, louder sounds. It’s like upgrading from vinyl to high-def audio but still keeping that vintage vibe. It’s crazy technical, but what we care about is that it sounds stunning.
Also, let’s give a round of applause to the movement’s finishing. The decoration on the Caliber 2956 is peak Haute Horlogerie, polished bevels, Geneva stripes, and that satisfying feeling that someone spent weeks making sure every surface was perfect, even if you’ll only ever see it with a loupe.
A Full Orchestra of Design and Detail
While the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Opal Dial steals the spotlight, AP didn’t stop there. They went all out with variants featuring sapphire dials, too. These let you peek at the movement like an open-heart display, except here, it’s the full orchestra, not just the string section.
We’ve got one version in sand gold with a black ceramic case middle, giving it this super stealthy, aggressive look. It’s offset by warm gold and a sporty rubber strap, equal parts “boardroom beast” and “midnight racing driver.” Then there’s the all-white gold model with a crystal opal dial, which comes off like a disco ball went to finishing school.
This collection is all about contrasts, between light and shadow, soft iridescence and hard metals, traditional chiming and new-age tech. And we’re loving every bit of it.
So… Is the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Opal Dial Wearable?
We’ve got to say it: this isn’t your daily beater. You're not slapping the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Opal Dial on to take the dog out or hit the grocery store. This is event watch energy. It’s what you wear when the lighting’s good and you want people to ask what’s on your wrist. It’s a horological flex, but in that art-collector-who-doesn’t-need-to-try kind of way.
That said, it’s not as delicate as it looks. The case construction is super robust, and the opal dial, while thin and rare, is protected under a domed sapphire crystal. Water resistance? 20 meters. So, no, don’t cannonball into a pool with it, but it can handle champagne splashes at a gallery opening just fine.
And while most Grande Sonnerie pieces live in massive, unwearable cases, this one sits at a very reasonable 41mm. The lugs curve nicely, and on a quality strap (shoutout to the green alligator), it hugs the wrist like it knows it’s got something to prove. It’s wearable, not in a “go for a jog” way, but in a “own the room without saying a word” kind of way.
How Many Code 11.59 Opal Dials Exist?
That’s the kicker, just one. Yep, Audemars Piguet only made a single piece of the Code 11.59 Grande Sonnerie Carillon Supersonnerie with the harlequin opal dial. It’s a piece unique, which makes sense given the nature of opal as a gemstone. No two are alike, and once you cut one, that’s it. This exact dial will never be duplicated.
So, unless you’re the guy (or gal) who owns this thing, the rest of us are left to appreciate from afar, or hope it pops up at auction one day. That rarity only adds to the watch’s mystique. It’s not a production piece, it’s not even a limited edition. It’s one of one. You know how AP likes to do it: they drop something wild, say “don’t blink,” and walk away.
As for the sapphire-dial variants, those are also ultra-exclusive but might be slightly easier to find if your connections are solid. Still, this whole Code 11.59 new release wave is operating deep in collector territory. You won’t find these sitting in boutiques; they’re appointment-only, big-spender watches.
Why the Opal Dial Is the Code 11.59's True Glow-Up
When the Code 11.59 line launched, it got clowned hard. People said it lacked character, felt too corporate, or tried too hard to please everyone. But fast-forward to now? Audemars Piguet took all that criticism, went to the lab, and came back with heat.
This Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Opal Dial isn’t for everyone, and that’s exactly the point. It’s bold. It’s rare. It’s emotionally charged in a way most luxury watches just aren’t. It doesn’t whisper; it sings. Literally.
And let’s not forget: AP could have just kept dropping Royal Oak variations until the end of time. But they didn’t. They took a risk on a polarizing collection, added one of the most complex complications in watchmaking, and finished it off with a gemstone dial that looks like the Northern Lights and a Monet painting had a baby.
If this is the future of Code 11.59, we’re ready. More opal. More fire. More pieces that make you stop scrolling and say, “Wait… what is that?”
If you’re passionate about Audemars Piguet watches, Timepiece Trading is your destination for the most exclusive and collectible models. From legendary Royal Oaks to ultra-rare Code 11.59 pieces, our curated selection offers something for every serious collector. Browse online, explore our latest arrivals, or contact us directly for personalized assistance.
