There are watches that tell the time and then there are watches that tell a story each time you glance at your wrist. The CODE 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Starwheel Ref. 15212NR.OO.A002KB.01 belongs firmly in the latter category. With its three rotating satellite hour discs floating over an aventurine dial that sparkles like a night sky, this is arguably the most poetic and daring watch in the entire Audemars Piguet catalogue.
First Impressions
I had been eyeing the Code 11.59 collection for a while—since the Royal Oak Offshore review, in fact—but it was the Starwheel that truly captivated me. This is one of the most highly sought-after models in the current AP catalogue, so when a special occasion came along, I asked the boutique if they could make the impossible possible—and they did. Once you see those three rotating hour discs in the metal, you simply cannot look away. The concept is mesmerising: instead of traditional hour and minute hands, the hours are displayed on three satellite discs that rotate around the dial, each disc showing four hours. A single central minute hand sweeps across a peripheral minute track. It is a complication that traces its roots back to 17th-century pocket watches, yet here it feels utterly contemporary.
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The Dial – A Starry Stage
The aventurine glass dial is the show-stopper. Under any light, it shimmers with thousands of tiny copper-coloured inclusions, evoking a starlit sky—an appropriate canvas for a watch called "Starwheel." The three satellite discs, framed by a pink gold trefoil-shaped bridge, carry Arabic numerals in 18K pink gold. As they rotate, only one numeral on each disc aligns with the minute hand at a time, pointing to the current hour. The effect is almost hypnotic: you find yourself tilting your wrist just to watch the light dance across the aventurine surface and catch the slow drift of the satellite discs.
The peripheral minute track, rendered in pink gold numerals against the black ceramic bezel ring, is surprisingly legible. Once you understand the reading principle—the hour numeral closest to the minute hand indicates the current hour—telling the time becomes second nature, even intuitive.
Case and Comfort
The Code 11.59 case is one of the most underrated case constructions in modern watchmaking. At 41mm in diameter, it wears beautifully on the wrist. This particular reference, the 15212NR, pairs an octagonal black ceramic middle case with 18K pink gold for the bezel, lugs, caseback, and crown. The contrast between the matte black ceramic and the warm glow of the pink gold is striking and gives the watch a bold yet refined character.
What makes the Code 11.59 case so special is the double-curved sapphire crystal on the front and the open-worked lugs. The crystal creates a subtle domed effect that amplifies the depth of the aventurine dial, while the open lugs allow the watch to sit closer to the wrist and follow its natural curvature. Despite being 41mm, the watch feels compact and incredibly comfortable—even under a shirt cuff, as I discovered wearing it with a suit.
The Movement
The Starwheel is powered by the in-house Calibre 4310, an automatic movement that Audemars Piguet developed specifically for this satellite hours complication. It features a 70-hour power reserve, which is generous and practical for daily wear. The movement drives the three satellite hour discs through a sophisticated gear train, making the seemingly simple rotation of the discs a genuine mechanical feat. Through the sapphire caseback, the beautifully finished rotor and bridges are visible—a reminder that behind the poetic dial lies serious horological engineering.
Wearing Experience
I wore the Code 11.59 Starwheel with a dark navy suit and it felt absolutely at home. The black textile strap—with its woven fabric texture—pairs perfectly with the ceramic and pink gold case, lending the watch an understated elegance that works equally well in a business setting or a more casual environment. The folding clasp is secure and easy to operate.
It is genuinely a pleasure to read the time on this watch. There is a ritualistic quality to glancing at your wrist and finding the hour disc slowly presenting itself, the aventurine background shimmering beneath. The Starwheel is a discreet watch—it does not shout for attention the way a Royal Oak might—but for the wearer, every glance at the dial is a private reward.
A Different Kind of AP
The Code 11.59 collection was controversially received when it launched in 2019. Critics felt it lacked the iconic DNA of the Royal Oak. But I believe the collection has found its voice—and the Starwheel is its most eloquent expression. This is not a Royal Oak competitor; it is something entirely different. It is an AP for people who want horological poetry on their wrist, not a status symbol. The Starwheel reminds us that Audemars Piguet is, at its core, a manufacture of complicated watches—and this complication is one of the most beautiful ways to display the hours ever devised.
Pros & Cons – A Balanced Verdict
Pros
- Mesmerising Satellite Hours Display: The three rotating discs over the aventurine dial are unlike anything else in the market.
- Stunning Aventurine Dial: The sparkle and depth of the aventurine glass is simply breathtaking under any light.
- Comfortable 41mm Case: The Code 11.59 open-lug construction and double-curved crystal make it supremely wearable.
- In-house Calibre 4310 with a generous 70-hour power reserve.
- Black Ceramic and Pink Gold: A bold colour combination that is versatile and refined.
Cons
- Readability Learning Curve: The satellite hour display takes a moment to get used to, though it quickly becomes intuitive.
- Availability: As with most desirable AP pieces, it may not be immediately available.
- Price: The combination of ceramic, pink gold, and a proprietary complication places it in a high price bracket.
- No Date Display: Purists may not mind, but some will miss the practicality.
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