Hello everyone.
This time, I would like to talk about the revived Swiss luxury watch brand , Czapek .
Due to its connection with Patek Philippe, Czapek has been attracting attention from watch collectors in recent years. In the previous article, we introduced the history of Czapek and its popular model, the Antarctic.
In this second installment, we will be introducing Quai des Berques , Place Vendôme , and Faubourg de Cracovie , so please enjoy until the end.
If you haven't seen the previous article yet, click here
[Quai Des Bergues]
Quai des Berques is named after the street along the Rhône River that runs along Lake Geneva, where Czapek once had his workshop. It is a homage to the place where François Czapek founded his company in Geneva in 1845.
The basic collection of the Quai des Berques, released in 2017, features distinctive sub-dials set at the bottom on both sides of the dial and the Cal. SXH1, a hand-wound movement with a long power reserve of 7 days, developed in collaboration with Chronode .
The lug-side design features two different cases: the "Classic," reminiscent of the round shape of the famous pocket watch "No. 3430," and the "Revolution," with its sandblasted and polished finish for a modern look.
The "Classic" case is designed to fit the wrist like a pocket watch, and the relaxed, smooth round shape of the case and the beauty of its curves reflect the brand's aesthetic.
*The photo shows the "Classic" case with rounded lug sides
The case material is available in five different materials: 18KWG (white gold), 18KRG (rose gold), Platinum, Titanium, and SS (stainless steel). Titanium and SS (stainless steel) feature a "Revolution" case with a unique stretcher on the side.
*The photo shows the "Revolution" case, which skillfully uses sandblasting and polishing.
※《Fleur-de-lis》
The word "Fleur-de-lis" translates to "lily flower" (actually, iris). The "Fleur-de-lis" shaped hands, which are one of the characteristics of Czapek, are not used on the luxury sports model "Antarctic" introduced last time, but are used on the "Dark Blue Aventurine dial" and "Black Enamel S".
*The fleur-de-lis has appeared on many European coats of arms and flags for centuries, but historically it is said to have had a particularly strong connection with the French royal family.
Ⅰ. The Bergues
"Guilloché Ricochet – Rainforest Green S"
[Source][Source][Source] Capek
[Place Vendôme] "Place Vendôme"
Place Vendôme is named after the world-famous Place Vendôme, where founder François Capek opened the first luxury watch boutique in the mid-19th century. It is also the second collection of the current Capek & Co.
This watch is also equipped with the hand-wound movement "Cal. SXH2", developed in collaboration with Chronode , and is the brand's first one-minute tourbillon (suspended tourbillon), second time zone (dual time), day/night disc, and power reserve indicator of approximately 60 hours.
"François Capek was a modern thinker with a deep sense of traditional watchmaking. There is no doubt that he dreamed up this watch, which is a contemporary interpretation of his ideas about watchmaking aesthetics and technique," said CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel.
The Plus Vendôme collection is limited to 15 pieces in PT (platinum) and 10 pieces in 18KRG (rose gold), and in 2018 a model with a titanium "Revolution" case was also released in a limited run of 25 pieces.
A counterclockwise rotating day/night disc is inserted between two subdials, housing the tourbillon on the left and a second time zone on the right.
Ⅰ. PLACE VENDÔME
"Titanium "Ombres""
[Handmade sculpture]
The platinum "Plus Vendôme" can also be requested to be engraved with acanthus (leaf thistle) inspired by the paintings of the Assisi Cathedral by Michèle Rothen Rebetez, a top engraving artist in the world of engraving. (Engraving on the case side and crown guard)
[Source] Capek
[Faubourg De Cracovie]
[Czapek] The Faubourg de Krakow was released in 2018 as its first chronograph model.
This is the third collection of the current Capek Company and is named after the third Capek boutique that opened in Warsaw, Poland in 1850.
The caliber is the third movement produced by Czapek, "Cal.SXH3", and the redesigned 41.5mm "Quai des Berg" revolution case is used. The unique crown protector is still in good condition and functions as a pusher.
"We've taken the romantic nobility of our first watch and added a chronograph, making it modern while still remaining classic," said CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel.
The dial is a novelty design called "Resonance" invented in the late 18th century. It features intersecting circular lines, bas-relief and diamond-shaped guilloché, said to be the invention of François Capek. It was developed in collaboration with dial supplier Metalem .
I. FAUBOURG DE CRACOVI
"L'Heure Bleue"
[Source][Source] Capek
summary
What did you think.
Over the course of two weeks, we have been reporting on Czapek, a brand that is quietly gaining popularity. Our store does not stock many of this brand, but it is one we will be keeping an eye on in the future. For some of you, this may be the first time you've heard of Czapek, and we hope that by reading this article, you have sparked at least a little interest in the brand. If you are interested, please be sure to check out the official website.
see you!