Code 11.59 - Owner perspective after 2 weeks

[Bearxj86]

I have owned the Code 11.59 WG blue 3 hander for about 2 weeks and have spent some time with it. Here are some overall thoughts:

1) This must possibly be the least photogenic watch on the planet. The special glass makes taking a photo close to impossible and the lacquer dial that looks luscious in person looks flat and dull in on camera.

2) Wears extremely well for a 41mm for my 6.75 wrist and ergonomics are best in class. I have worn watches for many years and the Code 11.59 is perhaps the most comfortable on the wrist. I will state this again...ergonomics best in class. Very...very balanced and comfortable. 10/10 here.

3) gorgeous case and the dial looks blue sometimes and jet black other times. This dial is gorgeous not in sunlight but in medium lighting conditions. In sunlight you get this glare and you plainly cannot read the damn dial. Case 10/10, Dial 7/10

4) legibility isn’t an issue except on camera and under harsh lighting conditions like direct sunlight

5) a real hit with the ladies 10/10

6) the feeling and aesthetic you get is unlike any dress watch I have. It’s certainly luxurious and bold without the subtlety that comes with a Lange, Patek, or Journe. The case, glass, and profile gives it good wrist presence. To me this is the best part of the Code 11.59. 10/10 here.

7) I opted to wear it on a Hodinkee 22mm grey suede which I think contrasts nicely with the dial

8) Pin buckle and OEM strap are 10/10 - double sided croc is luxurious kinda like a journe alligator.

9) Movement probably a 7/10. Gorgeous but I am a sucker for manual wind - don't like this rotor in the way. Also I don't think there is a Geneva seal and the movement could use more decoration.

Overall I would give the watch a 8.5/10. It is a gorgeous and unique piece that I enjoy immensely and truth be told it’s getting more than it’s share of wrist time versus my Aquanauts/Nautilus/PCCs/Rolexes/Grand Seikos/Royal Oaks. I find myself choosing it versus traditional dress watches especially in casual or business casual settings. Only real knock is the dial which can sometimes look dull and flat about 20% of the time and the lack of ability to take a damn good photo. This is a watch that you will not get easily bored of. If you're going to spend $20k+ on a watch on a strap, the Code 11.59 is definitely a choice for someone that wants a strong wrist presence over subtlety. A watch that is more dressy casual than dressy but can hold its own with a suit. I personally like it for casual/dressy casual way more than a Patek/Lange/Journe.

Photos - NO FILTERS WERE USED and I am terrible at taking pics:





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[maciej]

Absolutely love how it looks on the grey strap!

[benlee]

Glad you enjoy it! Congrats!

(1) sounds like a challenge to me. Too bad I don't plan on getting one.

[AshAP]

Great feedback, the most noteworthy point is without question no.5.


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[Bearxj86]

Originally Posted by benlee

Glad you enjoy it! Congrats!

(1) sounds like a challenge to me. Too bad I don't plan on getting one.

Ben, especially for someone like you that takes gorgeous photos, it will be frustrating. It's a bit like the Chronometre Bleu...the gap between photo and reality is quite large.

[benlee]

Originally Posted by bearxj86

Ben, especially for someone like you that takes gorgeous photos, it will be frustrating. It's a bit like the Chronometre Bleu...the gap between photo and reality is quite large.

I need to try it out myself to be sure. Actually, no matter how unphotogenic a watch is, my experience said it is still possible to shoot it nicely as seen by the naked eye. Perhaps need a better camera in this case. In boutique light or indoor, most watches don't look good.

[masterserg]

Good, balanced write up. I like the watch a lot, especially on the grey strap.

I agree with your comments re. the movement. I always said I liked it he 3120 better to look at (even though that’s not what you said lol).

PS: killer collection!

[HK Islandboy]

Congratulations. It is great to hear that you are enjoying the watch and it looks great on you

[TooWoundUp]

Originally Posted by bearxj86

5) a real hit with the ladies 10/10

Say no more, its a done deal.

All joking aside, I'm glad you like it. I still can't get myself to appreciate the font and the ultra thin bezel.

[AK797]

I think it has some good qualities, the case and lugs are interesting and nicely finished but the dial is still my issue, think the hands are flat and just noticed the strange design of the 3 with the wide base, not for me.

[uniqueMR]

Congrats and thanks for sharing.

[Fat_ninja]

Look at u sneaking a swatch in there to fill the box. Lol

[GB-man]

Nice write up Jin. Enjoy it

[APAP]

Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately I’ll never get over how generic the design is.

[Burlington]

Good to see some balanced thoughts to this watch.

Will be curious if AP are working on a redesign for the future or if they will leave things be for a while.

[Fat_ninja]

In all seriousness, I just went to check it out...
I had a tough time with legibility? Wife thought it was ok

See pics around legibility

[watchshot94]

Tried on the chrono last month.



Feels good on the wrist but didn’t like the looks.


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[whiterabbit66]

I really like it on the gray strap. May have to go into the dealer and take a look :)

[The Argonaut]

I tried one in Geneva a few weeks ago. I wanted to like it, but it just looked like other watches and lacked the X factor. Still, I'm glad it works for you.

[GoingPlaces]

Nice write up. Thank you.

I have yet to try one on but like others the dial is a no-go for me. The case is exquisite and unique, gorgeous. Fix the dial and it’s a winner.

Great collection.


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[Bearxj86]

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

Look at u sneaking a swatch in there to fill the box. Lol

Its Hodinkee Sistem51! It counts!

I have 2 spots left that I just filled.

[jag32]

It's nice but the font on the numbers, particularly the 6 and 9, is just dreadful. Those are deal breakers for me.

[P2725TMB]

I didn't like it at the start and I'm afraid I still don't like it, particularly bearing in mind how much they cost.

[RolexZen]

Originally Posted by P2725TMB

I didn't like it at the start and I'm afraid I still don't like it, particularly bearing in mind how much they cost.

The cost doesn’t seem out of line, if you did like the watch. But you don’t, so the msrp really doesn’t matter.

[ragsk]

I quite like the rose gold with black dial three hander. Not a fan of the other colour combos.

Is the Code line selling well?

I had heard there was only like 2000 pieces being produced across the whole Code line in 2019 which doesn't sound like a lot. Plus there arent many on Chrono24 and none with a big discount.

[P2725TMB]

Originally Posted by RolexZen

The cost doesn’t seem out of line, if you did like the watch. But you don’t, so the msrp really doesn’t matter.

Fair point!

[tonupbklyn]

pass.

[DeeTee]

Here’s my take on the watch.

PROS

-The case is a work of art. The 2 piece case is something to really see and touch in the flesh and has a lot of Royal Oak DNA
-Chronograph movement is A1 in aesthetics and usability. Many people haven’t realized that this watch is a flyback, and the feeling of the pushers is just smooth as silk.
-The crystal has to be seen, it almost feels like an optical illusion.

CONS
- Other than the perpetual, the dials suck. It really is a state of the art watch and to have a Montblanc or Michael Kors looking Dial really hurts. Hopefully this will change soon, the Tourb model for Only Watch looks amazing.


Also a lot of us are on TRF and social media, so our opinions have been heavily biased. I try to keep all that aside and do my best to make my own opinions. This watch is not an abomination like many people have said, just a bust on the Chrono and Time Only dials.

I work in a retail environment selling watches, so I deal with “regular” people who don’t follow internet watch banter. A young gentleman came last weekend and said he wanted a “grownup” watch. I brought out the 11:59 Chrono out the safe and he said “I’ll take it”.... he didn’t even ask the price.

[T3F]

Interested to know what "a real hit with the ladies" means...

[blacke90]

Thanks for the write up!