Czapek & Cie

New from Czapek: Antarctique Révélation and Antarctique S Sashiko

by Sheng Lee . Mar 27, 2023

Czapek & Cie

New from Czapek: Antarctique Révélation and Antarctique S Sashiko

After debuting its first titanium Antarctique before Watches & Wonders 2023, Czapek continues to expand its line of integrated bracelet sports watches at the fair. The brand has now revealed three fresh models, each boasting captivating details not present in previous versions.

Antarctique Révélation

The Antarctique Révélation is the highlight of Czapek’s new collection and marks a milestone for the model, as it is the first time-only Antarctique to feature a skeletonised dial and movement. Previously, only the top-of-the-line split seconds chronograph had an openworked appearance.

Antarctique Révélation

Notably, the SXH5 is a micro-rotor movement with components spread out rather than stacked up, making it ideal for skeletonization. This results in a movement that looks clean and aesthetically pleasing, even when the dial is removed to expose the mechanics. The pocket-watch style “finger” bridges also add to the viewing experience by allowing easy open-working to expose the gear train.

Not content with removing just the dial, Czapek has revamped various components of the SXH5 to enhance its aesthetics, resulting in the new SXH7. For instance, the balance wheel has been reversed so that the side with the adjustable mass is now visible on the dial. This also sidesteps the common issue with skeletonized watches, which often reveal unsightly markings on the back of the balance wheel caused by laser removal of excess weights during poising. Additionally, the underside of the micro-rotor, visible from the front, has been engraved for a more upscale look.

Antarctique Révélation

Unlike a standard Antarctique with central seconds, the Révélation has a small seconds between four and five o’clock, resembling watches from the likes of Greubel Forsey. This decision simplifies the movement as the original SXH5 was designed with indirect center seconds, which required an additional bridge and auxiliary wheels to transfer motion. Here, those extra components have been eliminated, and the seconds is directly driven by the fourth wheel.

Tech Specs

Antarctique Révélation

Movement: SXH7; automatic; 60 hours power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds
Case: 40.5 x 10.6 mm; steel; water resistant to 120 m
Strap: Steel bracelet with additional calf leather or rubber strap
Availability: 100 pieces per year, pre-order starts on April 1, 2023 with delivery commencing in January 2025

Antarctique S Sashiko

Next on are two mid-sized Antarctique S watches, featuring a new dial carefully designed with a feminine touch. The new Antarctique S Sashiko boasts a dial embossed with a lotus flower motif, personally selected by Marie-Alix de Roquemaurel, the wife of Czapek’s chief. Her passion for Japanese textile and culture has inspired the creation of this model, with her perspective as a woman reflected in the design.

Antarctique S Sashiko

Although textured dials are popular, the Sashiko distinguishes itself with its unique lotus motif, which has a charming and romantic appearance that diverges from the traditional, serious guilloche pattern. Furthermore, the elegant flowery design features multiple facets that resemble the sparkling cuts of a diamond, adding a subtle glamor to this timepiece.

The Sashiko is clever not only for the flowery motif, but also how other elements work in harmony. The chapter ring, for instance, features the same flowery pattern, creating a subtle two-tone effect when paired with the circularly brushed ring for the hour markers. This adds more depth to the dial, unlike a dial entirely embossed with the same pattern, which could appear flat.

Antarctique S Sashiko Azure

Antarctique S Sashiko Pink Lotus

Moreover, the delicate shades of pink and light blue have been expertly chosen, producing a pair of watches that merge the gracefulness of the lotus flower with the sporty-chic style of an integrated bracelet sports watch. Importantly, the mid-sized case, measuring 38.5 mm, further enhances the balance between sophistication and confidence, making it a versatile watch.

Finally, the Antarctique S Sashiko is powered by the SXH5 micro-rotor movement, which is also used in larger models, making it one of the more technically interesting women’s sports watches on the market.

The SXH5 of the Antarctique S Sashiko Pink Lotus

Tech Specs

Antarctique S Sashiko

Movement: SXH5; automatic; 60 hours power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Case: 38.5 x 10.6 mm; steel; water resistant to 120 m
Strap: Steel bracelet with additional calf leather or rubber strap
Availability: Limited edition of 99 pieces in each colour

Antarctique S Carte des Nuages

The final item is a pair of Antarctique S watches with a welcome twist of luxury. The Antarctique S Carte des Nuages model features a mother-of-pearl dial that is etched with an intriguing square pattern, creating a geometric look that contrasts with the organic “cloud” pattern of the base. Notably, the diamond hour marker at 12 o’clock has an elongated cut that is a proprietary feature for Czapek, designed by the London-based studio Fuzion.

Antarctique S Carte des Nuages Misty White

Antarctique S Carte des Nuages Stormy Grey

Tech Specs

Antarctique S Carte des Nuages

Movement: SXH5; automatic; 60 hours power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds
Case: 38.5 x 10.6 mm; steel; water resistant to 50 m
Strap: Steel bracelet with additional calf leather or rubber strap
Availability: Limited edition of 50 pieces in each colour

Antarctique Révélation

Tech Specs

Antarctique Révélation

Antarctique S Sashiko

Tech Specs

Antarctique S Sashiko

Antarctique S Carte des Nuages

Tech Specs

Antarctique S Carte des Nuages

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