Cracking The Code

The launch in Taipei of an entirely new family of watches signals an exciting new direction for Audemars Piguet, writes Annie Darling

When Audemars Piguet settled on Taipei as the city to host the Asian debut of a revolutionary new collection of watches, it wasn’t a random choice. The Taiwanese capital is one of Asia’s hidden gems, a treasure trove of Chinese history and an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary culture, fabulous food and so much more—a place where a new discovery is always just around the corner. So what better location to launch new collection Code 11.59, whose name conjures the minute before midnight, a moment anticipating the promise of the new day—and a new chapter for the luxury Swiss watchmaker?

The Code 11.59, designed for both men and women, has almost completely abandoned Audemars Piguet’s house codes in favour of a new, more modern direction. It’s a big, bold step and reveals the brand’s blueprint for its future. As well as the 11.59 reference, “Code” also captures the spirit of that future, being an acronym for “challenge, own, dare, evolve.”