SimplyAbuDhabi XXXIII

9 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I T he stand at Audemars Piguet is perpetually busy for the four days at SIHH—which to be fair, should be expected from a brand that has invested in and supported generation after generation of dedicated craftspeople, contributing to the wealth of watchmaking history, as well as pushing the industry ever forward by with unorthodox and unheard of innovations. As the brand’s motto states, “To break the rules, you must first master them.” Audemars Piguet is actually the oldest fine watchmaking manufacturer still in the hands of its founding families—the heirs of the company founded 1875 in Le Brassus, Switzerland, by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet. The same pioneering spirit still drives Audemars Piguet and this year sees this embodied in the remarkable Code 11.59 collection. Sébastian Vivas, the Heritage and Museum Director for AP says, “With 13 different models, including four complications in one go, Code 11.59 represents one of the most important and comprehensive launches in the Manufacture’s history. For the first time, we are also presenting a collection consciously designed for both men and women, with an arched ergonomic case comfortable for all to wear. These models reach out to the people who choose it all and look beyond the obvious.” An intentionally unisex collection is sure to be appreciated in such a gender conscious era, and it exemplifies how the brand always moves with the times. Jasmine Audemars, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors says, “We constantly challenge ourselves to push the limits of craftsmanship. Endowed with a strong spirit of independence, we proudly own our roots and territory, daring to combine precision and creativity. Faithful to our legacy, we continue to evolve by preserving and rewriting traditions.” For Audemars Piguet, the Code 11.59 name signifies Challenge: Challenge the limits of craftsmanship; Own: Our roots and legacy; Dare: to follow firm convictions; Evolve: never stand still, 11.59: the last minute before a new day. The collection includes some remarkable models, such as the self-winding flying tourbillon, the self-winding chronograph and the Minute Repeater Supersonnerie, but the Perpetual Calendar is our pick of the spoils. This model houses the self-winding Manufacture calibre 5134 optimised with the collection’s signature open-worked weight in 22-carat gold. AUDEMARS PIGUET C O D E 1 1 . 5 9 P E R P E T U A L C A L E N D A R