Audemars Piguet Brings Back the Star Wheel Concept in Code 11.59

A charming display and watch from the early 1990s, now modernized.

The vagabond timepiece is one of the most fascinating showcases in the horological world. If it is often associated with modern independent watchmakers such as Urwerk or Audemars Piguet, it is actually a very old concept dating back to the 17th century. However, if the origins of the system are much older than many assume, Audemars Piguet is often seen as a resurrection of the concept with its famous watch, the Starwheel, which was born in 1991. Long since exiting the collection, the iconic display returns in a bolder, more contemporary take. Meets Code 11.59 for Audemars Piguet Starwheel.

The Wandering Times of the Past and Star Wheels
The vagabond timepiece system dates back to the 17th century (most likely 1655), at the special request of Pope Alexander VII. With insomnia exacerbated by the ticking of the clock, he ordered a night clock from the Campagni brothers, asking that it be quiet and easy to read in the dark. The result is a clock with traveling time, reading the time on a semicircle displaying the quarter-hours, which is also illuminated from within.