This year, Geneva watchmaker Czapek has brought an Antarctic storm to Watches & Wonders, with a selection of new timepieces named after the remotest continent on Earth. The Antarctic Collection, launched in 2020, marked a departure from the brand’s usual codes, bringing a sporty element to its elegant and sophisticated styling. A year later, Czapek introduced a grand complication variant with a flyback chronograph (visible from the dial side, no less). 2022 brings a glacial new version of the Antarctique Rattrapante and a smaller version of the Antarctique Passage de Drake.
Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue
The flyback chronograph is one of the most difficult complications to produce, taking its place alongside the tourbillon and the minute repeater in terms of complexity. An additional second hand stops to measure intermediate times, and then immediately “catches up” to the other second hand as it continues around the dial. This new Ice Blue 99-piece limited series in a 42.5 mm case takes its name from the glacier blue sapphire minute track and two subdial tracks through which the mechanism beneath can be seen. The openworked architecture provides depth and visual interest. This timepiece has a power reserve of 60 hours and a depth rating of 120 m. It comes with an integrated steel bracelet (featuring the distinctive C-shaped links) with an Easy Change system, as well as an additional rubber or leather strap.
Antarctique S: from M to S
The Antarctique is making the most of the current vogue for smaller sizes. The standard 40.5 mm diameter has been complemented by a new small (S) version with a diameter of 38.5 mm – a boon for smaller wrists. The Antarctique Passage de Drake Glacier Blue S and Antarctique Passage de Drake Salmon S are almost identical to their bigger sisters, released back in February: blue or salmon-coloured dial stamped with the Stairway to Eternity trapezoidal motif, stainless steel bracelet complete with C-shaped links, automatic calibre SXH5 (Czapek’s first movement to be produced entirely in-house, with a 56-hour power reserve, introduced in 2020), and a price of CHF 19,500 (ex. VAT). So what’s the difference? The case is 2 mm thinner.
But good things come in threes, as they say! The third timepiece offers all the same features as the first two, with one major difference. The Antarctique Osmium S features a “Frozen Star” dial made from osmium, the world’s rarest precious metal (eleven times rarer than gold). Obtained as a by-product from processing nickel or copper ore, only around one tonne is produced each year. It is extremely challenging to work with, but the difficulty is repaid by the stunning effect it creates when it catches the light. It comes with a second rubber or leather strap that can be fitted using the Easy Change system, and a price tag of CHF 76,000 (ex. VAT).
