Improved performance all over: CODE41’s X41 Edition 5 raises the bar once again

By Montredo in News
June 27, 2021
Improved performance all over: CODE41’s X41 Edition 5 raises the bar once again

Almost nowhere is the concept of a really democratized luxury watch so consistently executed as with CODE41. In particular the Project X41, which just got unveiled for the fifth time, demonstrates this well – as per usual with a couple of surprises up its sleeve.

At first glance, many things may seem familiar, especially compared to the last (fourth) edition. However, a closer look reveals many small improvements that were requested by the watch community and implemented by CODE41.

Let’s dive right in and take a closer look at the latest X41 iteration, which is now available for pre-order under the following link.

How it all began

The first X41, consisting of Creator Edition and the Edition 2, was launched back in March 2019 – and with great uncertainty. After all, this was not only the young company’s first crowdfunding campaign, but also the first watch created entirely by a watch community. However, the initial figures quickly made the minds behind CODE41 breathe a sigh of relief: Within one month, 700 watches were promptly pre-ordered, which corresponded to a sum of around 3 million Swiss francs.

The third version from November 2019 (450 sold for around 2.6 million CHF) and the fourth version from July 2020 (500 sold for around 3 million CHF) managed to follow up on this success as well. (You can read more about the latter one here.)

Edition 5: Never change a winning team

So you may ask “Why a fifth edition?”, as CODE41 has by no means reinvented the wheel here. Instead, the company has focused on a multitude of small changes, by taking up the proven features of past models and improving them once again.

First off, the heart of every watch: the movement. CODE41 sources its automatic caliber from Timeless Manufacture, a young movement specialist from the Swiss Jura that is specialized in Haute Horlogerie pieces. Looking back on over 10 years of experience in the field of design, development, production and assembly of high-quality luxury watches, the company turned out to be the perfect candidate to be the driving force behind the development of the X41’s movement.

Its special feature is undoubtedly its peripheral winding, which is normally – given its almost ridiculously high development costs – only reserved for watches in the mid to high four-digit range.

Well recognizable: the peripheral winding mechanism.

The design of former iterations, mainly characterized by the skeletonized open-worked dial with its large date and the industrial-looking angular case, is also back.

Improved performance all over

In essence, we feel like there are two improvements that are particularly beneficial to the X41’s longevity and thereby its “go anywhere do anything” character: increased water resistance and a more robust case.

While the previous versions were water-resistant to 50m, the Edition 5 is now water-resistant to a full 100m. What does that mean in everyday use? Well, splashes and showers were no problem before, but with the improved water resistance, swimming and light diving maneuvers are no problem any longer, either. Only for professional scuba diving should you probably give priority to genuine diving watches.

For the case, CODE41 now also makes use of titanium grade 5, a material that outshines the titanium grade 2 of previous versions. The alloy, which is preferably used in the aerospace industry thanks to its advantageous properties, is considered to be particularly light yet tough: At only around 50% of the weight of conventional stainless steel, grade 5 titanium is still twice as resistant to scratches as steel for example.

The iridescent effect of the case is a result of the AeroCarbon used.

In addition to titanium, the new edition is also available in AeroCarbon, which we already know from the Edition 4. AeroCarbon stands for a high-tech carbon fiber, which consists of around 300 fine layers that are compressed under high pressure in an autoclave oven. The result is a composite material that is 2.5 times harder than steel while being 4 times lighter. On a leather strap, the AeroCarbon watch thus weighs in at just 75g.

At a glance:

  • Case material: AeroCarbon or Titanium
  • Case diameter: 42mm
  • Lug to lug: 48mm
  • Hight: 11,7mm
  • Winding: Automatic
  • Caliber: 100% Swiss Made automatic caliber (peripheral bearing)
  • Power reserve: 45h
  • Waterproof: 100m
  • MSRP: Starting at 5,443€

Pre-order now

Pre-orders end on July 15, with planned delivery between March and April next year. There will be exactly three batches of 150 watches each, after which the production will cease. Prices start at €5,443, but can vary depending on your case material and strap choice.

If you’re interested in one of the 450 5th generation X41 watches, you can pre-order it now – at least while supplies last. Pre-order here.

For more information, you can visit code41watches.com here.


This is a sponsored article by Montredo for CODE41.


Previous comments (3)

  1. Looks awesome! Actually gonna think about getting this one. Any discounts available?

    June 28, 2021
  2. Make it 38/39mm and we have a deal!

    June 30, 2021
  3. Is there an advantage of a peripheral rotor in terms of performance?
    I do understand that it allows the watch to be thiner, but is there something else?

    July 6, 2021

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