This replica Code-1159 26600NB pairs the Code 11.59 tourbillon with a niobium case, one of the rarest material choices Audemars Piguet has ever applied to the collection. Niobium is a hypoallergenic metal with a distinctive blue-grey tone that darkens over time, giving the 26600NB a color profile no steel or gold reference can match. At 41mm, the case maintains the standard Code 11.59 proportions while introducing an exotic alloy that changes how light interacts with every surface.

Case & Movement Specs

• Case diameter: 41mm
• Case material: niobium
• Dial: lacquered with open tourbillon at 6 o’clock
• Crystal: double-curved sapphire
• Caseback: sapphire display
• Strap: leather with matching deployant clasp
• Movement: automatic tourbillon
• Functions: hours, minutes, tourbillon seconds

Niobium carries less weight than gold and a different surface texture than steel. The octagonal middle case in this material shows a matte finish that shifts between grey and dark blue depending on lighting conditions.

Caliber Breakdown

The tourbillon carriage at 6 o’clock completes one rotation per minute, acting as a running seconds display while compensating for gravitational timing errors. A peripheral rotor handles automatic winding without blocking the movement view through the caseback. The hand-finishing on the bridges follows AP standards with beveled edges and circular graining visible under magnification. For a precious metal alternative within the same complication tier, the 26048 reference offers the time-only version as a point of comparison. The complete Code 11.59 lineup spans from simple three-hand references through chronographs to this tourbillon tier.

How It Compares

Against the rose gold 26600CR or the standard 26600, the niobium version trades conventional precious-metal prestige for material rarity. Most watch brands never use niobium, which makes the 26600NB a talking point among collectors who value uncommon alloys. The blue-grey tone reads as neither warm nor cool, sitting in a neutral zone that pairs well with black, grey, or brown straps. On the wrist, the case feels lighter than gold and sits differently than steel. For the collector who wants the maximum convergence of unusual material and high complication in a Code 11.59 package, this replica Code-1159 26600NB represents that specific combination.