If titanium has become increasingly popular in watchmaking, it is because it addresses a genuine demand for comfort, reducing a watch’s weight without compromising its visual presence. Its matte finish also aligns perfectly with today’s sport-chic aesthetic. That said, it remains a challenging material to machine—an exacting metal, which is rarely seen as a drawback in horology.
Czapek has paired this titanium with a deep blue dial known as Cosmic Blue. Originally developed for the first Antarctique Tourbillon, the brand quickly noticed the unique harmony between this shade and titanium’s silvery-grey tone, choosing to wait for the right moment to introduce it across three cohesive new releases.
The first model, the Antarctique Dark Sector Titanium Cosmic Blue, highlights that Czapek is already familiar with titanium, having introduced it into the collection in 2023 with the Dark Sector. This new version takes the concept further with a sector dial reimagined in Czapek’s style, featuring two slightly domed, polished concentric circles, interrupted at twelve points to indicate the hours through gaps rather than solid markers.
The case and bracelet retain the signature Antarctique design elements: a box-style sapphire crystal, a slim rounded bezel, and an integrated bracelet with C-shaped central links. For the first time in titanium, the bracelet is available either satin-brushed or with a mix of brushed and polished finishes.
The minute track draws direct inspiration from the bridges of the SXH5 calibre, itself influenced by François Czapek’s 19th-century pocket watches. The watch is powered by this in-house micro-rotor movement, operating at 4 Hz and offering a 60-hour power reserve. It is available in 40.5 mm or 38.5 mm for the S version, limited respectively to 25 and 10 pieces.
With the Antarctique Révélation Titanium Cosmic Blue, Czapek introduces the SXH7 calibre, derived from the SXH5. This is indeed a skeleton watch, but not one that simply removes material for visual effect. It originates from a client’s request to reveal on the dial side what is usually hidden against the wrist. As a result, the escapement is reversed to be visible from the front, the hacking seconds mechanism is also exposed, the main plate is fully openworked, and the micro-rotor can be seen from the dial side. The visual impact is striking, even during time-setting.
Since legibility is often the main concern with skeleton watches, Czapek has addressed this by placing the hour markers on a smoked sapphire subdial.
This allows the wearer to enjoy the movement without sacrificing readability.
The model is available in 40.5 mm and 38.5 mm, produced at a rate of 50 pieces per year for the larger size and 25 for the smaller.
The Antarctique Tourbillon Titanium Cosmic Blue completes this trilogy.
Already part of the collection, it now features the Cosmic Blue dial, further enhancing the depth of the “Singularité” guilloché pattern and increasing the contrast with the visible mechanical components on the dial side: the flying tourbillon, gear train, and barrel.
Continuing the focus on titanium, Czapek also emphasizes user comfort. The bracelet includes a micro-adjustment system for a more precise fit, as well as an easy-release mechanism that allows for an instant switch to the supplied rubber strap.
This model also reflects the growing capabilities of the manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Calibre 9 is not only designed and developed in-house but is now largely produced on-site, with an increasing share of finishing operations carried out internally, including beveling and sandblasting of the large central bridge in this latest version. Limited to 25 pieces, it clearly illustrates Czapek’s evolution, now machining and finishing up to 70% of its movement components in-house.
The three Antarctique Titanium Cosmic Blue models will be available for pre-order through authorized Czapek retailers, at the brand’s Geneva boutique, and on its official website.
