The Volcanic Beauty Of Obsidian Graces Audemars Piguet's Code 11.59
2 min read
There is something particularly fascinating about bringing a piece of the natural world into fine watchmaking, especially when its beauty has been millions of years in the making. With the new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding, the Manufacture turns to gold obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass, to create a dial that is as intriguing as it is distinctive.
Formed when molten lava cools rapidly, obsidian develops a smooth, glass-like surface, often featuring beautiful mineral inclusions that catch and reflect light. In this 38mm creation, the natural stone is enhanced with a sunburst motif, allowing its gold-toned inclusions to reveal themselves through changing reflections. Unlike conventional lacquered or metallic dials, a natural stone dial carries its own individual character, with variations in texture, colour and mineral composition making every surface subtly different.
The choice of obsidian is particularly interesting for watchmaking: its naturally glossy finish creates remarkable visual depth, its reflective properties lend themselves beautifully to polished dial treatments, and its organic inclusions offer a decorative quality that cannot be replicated in exactly the same way. While obsidian is relatively brittle compared with harder watchmaking materials, its use as a dial is well suited to a protected environment beneath a sapphire crystal, where its beauty can be appreciated without being directly exposed to everyday contact.
Surrounding this striking dial is a 38mm case crafted in 18-carat yellow gold, measuring 9.6mm thick and featuring a double-curved, glareproofed sapphire crystal and a sapphire caseback. The warm tones of the case are echoed by the 18-carat pink gold hour markers, while the 18-carat yellow gold hands, filled with luminescent material, ensure legibility.
A shimmering brown inner bezel adds another layer of tonal richness, complemented by a shimmering black alligator strap secured with a yellow gold pin buckle. Powering the watch is Audemars Piguet's selfwinding Calibre 5909, an elegantly proportioned movement measuring just 3.9mm thick.
Comprising 174 components and 29 jewels, it operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and delivers a 60-hour power reserve, displaying hours, minutes and central seconds. Water-resistant to 30 metres, this reference 77410BA.OO.A604CR.01 is a beautiful meeting of geological wonder and contemporary haute horlogerie, demonstrating how an unconventional natural material can give a familiar watch silhouette an entirely new identity.
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