SpotlightAll Aboard The Antarctique: The Latest Additions To Czapek’s Bestselling
From unconventional to skeletonised dials, Czapek takes its sporty chic collection to new heights by unveiling the impressive Antarctique line of watches
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For the 2023 Watches & Wonders, the Geneva-based luxury watch brand Czapek & Cie. expanded its popular and iconic Antarctique collection with an impressive line of new and improved timepieces. The impressive product line-up includes a skeletonised Révélation timepiece, a three-hand model called Titanium (featured here) along with two new additions to the Antarctique S models: namely the Carte des Nuages and the Sashiko. While the former proudly leans towards their famous sporty chic category of watches, the latter is a homage to the traditional Japanese stitching method called Sashiko.
Here is more on the new releases:
Czapek Antarctique Révélation
This time-only watch features a wonderful showcase of its purpose-built iconic micro-rotor calibre, SXH7 movement. Also exposed is its pulsating heart, viewable from the dial side. This unique piece of horology is inspired by the 2021 Antarctique Rattrapante, which houses the first split-seconds chronograph that is visible from the dial, and that was developed from actual suggestions made by the fans. The 100-piece limited edition ultimate luxury sports watch makes a statement with its sleek 40.5mm steel case attached to a distinctive integrated steel bracelet.
Czapek Antarctique S
In a bid to capitalise on the sought-after sport-chic genre, Czapek has two new Antarctique S models—Sashiko & Carte des Nuages. The new dials commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Antarctique S collection, which are inspired by the Land of the Rising and the World of Light concepts.
For these new timepieces, Czapek & Cie. plays on its sporty chic appeal with dials in atypical colours, intriguing textures, and fascinating details. Each dial is designed to play with light in a way that it creates a sense of movement and vitality, which is constantly changing. Sitting comfortably at 38.5mm case diameter, these smaller (S) size watches cater to both feminine and masculine energies.
Czapek Antarctique S Sashiko
For ‘Sashiko’ dials, the brand is inspired by an eponymous traditional stitching method developed in Japan during the Edo period that involves geometric lines and three-dimensionality. “We opened our creative team to more players than usual, allowing inspirations to come from farther away. One of these players is my wife, whose passion for textiles and fashion led her to Japanese culture, where traditional fabrics and the lotus flower have inspired a new dial design.” says Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek.
The Antarctique S Sashiko collection features two models; Pink Lotus and Azure. Both dials showcase a 3-D stamped lotus pattern in pink and light blue. This pattern is achieved by repeating squares set at 45 degrees to perpendicular, each compromising six facets. As light hits the two dials, the lotus pink alternates between a sugary tone to a soft hint of mauve, while the blue tone changes from a clear hue of springtime sky to the greyer tone of autumn. Adding visual texture to the overall dial is the presence of a velvet-brushed ring that becomes a backdrop for the steel indexes.
Czapek Antarctique S La Carte des Nuages
For its unique mother-of-pearl dial, this watch is rightly monikered Carte des Nuages, a French term that means ‘Map of the Clouds’. What makes the dial risqué is the presence of six guilloché gridlines etched on its surface. These add a playful and modern take to the traditional craft of guillochage, but also require high skill and expertise.
Adding more drama to the dial are 12 ‘Antarctique cut’ diamonds as hour markers and princess-cut diamonds as indexes. Diamonds are further encrusted on the bezel, integrated lugs, the first ‘C’ link of the bracelet and winding crown. Powering the two new fascinating Czapek Antarctique S models is the in-house SXH5 movement.