Audemars Piguet Brings Obsidian and Onyx to the 38mm Code 11.59

Audemars Piguet is giving the 38mm Code 11.59 a more mineral, more jewellery-minded turn.

The latest additions to the Selfwinding line use natural gold obsidian and black onyx dials, pairing the collection’s compact case architecture with two very different expressions of stone-dial watchmaking.

It’s a quieter kind of statement for Code 11.59, and one that suits the 38mm format particularly well.

At a glance

• Audemars Piguet has added two 38mm Code 11.59 Selfwinding models with natural stone dials.
• The yellow gold version uses gold obsidian, while the pink gold version features mirror-polished black onyx with baguette-cut diamond hour markers.
• Prices are CHF 45,500 for the gold obsidian model and CHF 54,100 for the black onyx model, including taxes.

Two stones, two readings of precious metal

The yellow gold model is the warmer and more textured of the pair, with a natural gold obsidian dial set inside an 18k yellow gold case.

Obsidian is formed through volcanic activity and is known for its glass-like surface, while this gold variety contains mineral inclusions that create small metallic reflections.

Audemars Piguet has added a sunburst motif to the stone, which draws out the dial’s movement without making it feel ornate.

The dial is finished with gold-toned hour markers in pink gold, yellow gold hands with luminescent material and a shimmering brown inner bezel.

The pink gold version takes a sharper approach.

Its 18k pink gold case frames a black inner bezel and a natural black onyx dial, mirror-polished for a deep, uniform surface.

Instead of applied gold markers, the onyx model uses 13 baguette-cut diamonds, including a double marker at 12 o’clock, for a total of approximately 0.37 carats.

Pink gold hands filled with luminescent material keep the dial functional rather than purely decorative.

The compact Code 11.59 case gets a more dressed-up role

The 38mm Code 11.59 arrived in 2023 as a smaller, slimmer and redesigned interpretation of the collection first introduced in 2019.

Early 38mm versions used stamped dials with the collection’s ripple pattern in shades including light blue, green and black, housed in rose gold cases.

Gem-set dial editions followed in 2024, along with a white gold model with a natural turquoise dial in 2026.

These new stone-dial references continue that shift toward more precious executions, but they do it without abandoning the line’s contemporary case language.

Both watches use the established 38mm Code 11.59 construction, with a double-curved sapphire crystal and a sapphire caseback, each treated with anti-reflective coating.

The cases are 9.6mm thick and water-resistant to 30 metres.

Notably, both new references omit the date indication found on regular 38mm Code 11.59 models, leaving the stone dials cleaner and more symmetrical.

Calibre 5909 keeps the focus slim

Inside both watches is the automatic calibre 5909, an AP 5900 Vaucher-based movement.

The movement measures 26.2mm across and 3.9mm thick, with 174 components and 29 jewels.

It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 60-hour power reserve.

That slim construction matters here, since the appeal of the 38mm Code 11.59 is tied closely to its wearability as much as its case geometry.

The gold obsidian model is fitted to a black alligator strap with a subtle sheen, while the black onyx model comes on a glossy black alligator strap.

Both are secured with a pin buckle matching the case material.

Details & Specifications

For collectors drawn to Code 11.59’s architecture but looking for something less conventional than a patterned lacquer-style dial, these two references give the 38mm line a more intimate and tactile character.

The obsidian model leans warm and atmospheric, while the onyx version is cleaner, darker and more jewellery-forward.