Editorial
The Code 11.59 GMT in steel is Audemars Piguet's most accessible complication in the line, pairing the polarizing cushion-within-a-round case architecture with a genuinely useful second time zone. Caliber 5100 is fully in-house, and the steel case keeps the entry price meaningfully below the gold variants while delivering the same movement. Collectors who want AP's modern watchmaking without a Royal Oak serial number find this reference worth a serious look.
Audemars Piguet launched the Code 11.59 collection in 2019 after years of development, positioning it as the house's flagship beyond the Royal Oak. The GMT variant arrived as the line matured, carrying the in-house Caliber 5100 automatic with 70-hour power reserve and a bidirectional 24-hour GMT disc for second timezone reading. Reference 26393ST.OO.A002CR.01 specifies the steel case with the taupe-toned alligator strap, and has been in production since 2022.
Audemars Piguet has offered Code 11.59 GMT configurations in pink gold and white gold as well; the steel reference is the entry point for the complication tier. No significant case or movement revisions have been announced since launch.
Inspect the two-piece case construction carefully: the inner and outer case components are distinct parts joined at the middle, and any misalignment or finishing inconsistency there is a red flag on pre-owned examples. The alligator strap on this reference is a specific taupe color coded to the dial; replacements through AP boutiques are expensive, and aftermarket color matches are rarely accurate. Dial condition matters more on the Code 11.59 than on most references because the multilayered dial construction (the gradient sapphire dial on some variants, the solid dial here) shows scratches differently under different lighting.
Verify the crown and pushers operate smoothly: the GMT corrector function should advance the GMT hand in clean one-hour steps without sticking. Finally, confirm the box and papers are present, as the Code 11.59 still trades with a meaningful premium for full set condition.
