Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Glacier Blue

The story behind the creation of the brand is highly interesting and is based on a passion for watches and a knowledge of historical facts. The name of François Czapek, the former partner of Antoine Norbert de Patek, did not enjoy the same fate as that of Patek. In 2015, three entrepreneurs decided to revive the name through a fundraising campaign financed largely by watch collectors. It was a risky move, but their investment paid off, as in the following year, 2016, Czapek & Cie. won the GPHG Public Prize for its newly created Quai des Bergues model. The Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Glacier Blue is one of the clearest examples of how haute horlogerie can successfully merge with contemporary sporty chic. Presented by the independent Swiss brand, the model replaces the brand’s traditional classical aesthetic with a more aggressive and modern presence. The fact that it was produced in a strictly limited series of only 100 pieces makes the model even more interesting in the eyes of watchmaking enthusiasts. With an entirely steel construction combined with an integrated bracelet that places it firmly within the sports-watch genre, the model gains additional appeal from the captivating new aesthetic of its dial. Perfectly proportioned, the watch features a case measuring 38.5 mm in diameter and 10.6 mm in height. Beautifully crafted, its profile combines gently curved lines, clearly defined edges and angles, and flat surfaces, further emphasised by a grained matte finish and contrasting polished surfaces. Positioned beneath the subtle convex curve of the sapphire crystal, the textured surface of the glacier-blue dial is exceptional and immediately attracts the eye, playing with the light and casting small shadows. Czapek’s new signature “Stairway to Eternity” motif is a three-dimensional stamped flinqué finish that defines this new Passage de Drake collection. Standing out clearly against this striking trapezoidal background, the steel hour markers contrast with the dial and feature luminous inserts. The hour and minute hands are long and elegant, while the generous application of powerful Super-LumiNova ensures excellent legibility under all lighting conditions. The sweeping seconds hand is long and slender, while the date window at the 6 o’clock position, with a matching date disc, completes the functions. Thanks to the transparent caseback, we can enjoy the superb in-house SXH5 calibre, designed and developed by Czapek. Made according to the demanding standards of haute horlogerie, it features a brushed main plate made of black German silver, while mirror polishing, anglage and bevelling are applied by hand to its components. Visible through the sapphire caseback, it is a breathtaking demonstration of mechanical architecture, distinguished by angular, semi-openworked bridges directly inspired by François Czapek’s 19th-century pocket watches. The eccentrically positioned micro-rotor in 950 platinum and the seven bridges – five of which are openworked – offer an enviable view of the gear train, while a transverse bridge spans the variable-inertia balance wheel. Several improvements following its debut in 2020 resulted in a larger platinum micro-rotor replacing the original 18-carat gold rotor, along with a complete replacement of the ball bearings beneath the micro-rotor – thanks to these developments, the movement provides a solid power reserve of 60 hours.