Welcome back to the latest edition of the regular series highlighting all of the new watch releases, Watches Of The Week. This week's instalment is a lighter one, but it's still full of interesting new watches, including pieces from the likes of Audemars Piguet with the new Code 11.59 Starwheel as well as a marketing-shaking announcement from Rolex.
Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Starwheel
Audemars Piguet has introduced its iconic 1991 original Starwheel complication to its most contemporary collection. The Code 11.59 Starwheel marries the worlds of modern horology and traditional watchmaking in a way that is very much befitting of the maison's ethos. The new Code 11.59 Starwheel features a 41mm white gold case with a black ceramic middle, a blue aventurine main dial with black opaline aluminium revolving discs depicting the passing hours as well as white gold hands for the minutes and seconds indicators. Powering the Code 11.59 Starwheel is the calibre 4310, which is based on Audemars Piguet's calibre 4309 with an modular addition to facilitate for those "wandering" hour discs. Brand: Audemars Piguet Model: Code 11.59 Starwheel Reference: 15212NB.OO.A002KB.01 Case: 41mm Case Material: White Gold Water Resistance: 30m Calibre: 4310 Price: USD57,900 Verdict: A harmonious combination of technical excellence and innovation that doesn't look at all out of place in the Code 11.59's modern architecture.
Rolex Announces Certified Pre-Owned Programme
Rolex has announced its very own official Certified Pre-Owned Programme, supported by the brand's global network of retailers. The programme will offer certification, authenticity guarantee and a two-year warranty on all purchases, and is set to kick in some time this month. This is pretty big news but the real wait will be to see what impact it will have on secondary and grey-market pricing. I'll be following this very, very closely.
Verdict: Early days and everything you read is speculation, so let's wait to see what effect this has on the used and grey market.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar
A last-minute addition to this week's edition but one that really couldn't wait until next week. Here is the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar reference 26598BC.ZZ.1220BC.01. This new reference features the same vivid purple Grande Tapisserie dial as the original 26574BC.OO.1220BC.01 model had (which has, peculiarly, completely disappeared from the Audemars Piguet website, and which I believe was released to celebrate the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar). This model differentiates itself from its supposedly discontinued counterpart by way of a baguette-cut diamond-set white gold bezel. End result is another bona fide winner and sure to be gone like the wind before you even read this.
Brand: Audemars Piguet Model: Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Reference: 26598BC.ZZ.1220BC.01 Case: 41mm Case Material: White Gold Water Resistance: 20m Calibre: 5134 Price: Price On Request
Verdict: Perhaps one of the best looking Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars out there.