Following on from the success of Czapek’s Orion Nebula and Abyss models featuring dials inspired by the mysteries of space, the Geneva-based watchmaker is back with an equally mystical limited edition inspired by emerald-coloured icebergs.
Emerald Icebergs
Since man started exploring the icy world of the Antarctic, this coloured glacial ice has intrigued all those who have stumbled across them. Their deep green hues have given them the nickname of emerald icebergs after the 1798 poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, where Samuel Taylor Coleridge described an Antarctic sailor seeing “ice, mast high…as green as emerald.”
The Theories
For the longest time, scientists were unsure where the green hue was coming from. At first, they suspected that microscopic organic particles from prehistoric marine plants and animals in the ice were causing the unusual colour. But in 2019, a report by the Journal of Geophysical Research concluded that the deep green colour was actually the result of large deposits of iron from rock dust that was captured in the frozen mass.
Looking into the Dial
This extraordinary natural phenomenon is reproduced on the dial of the Antarctique Emerald Iceberg Limited Edition using a proprietary hand-varnishing technique developed by its partner Metalem in Le Locle. The dial is first varnished before being hand painted, lacquered, and then polished to reveal these mesmerizing hues of green. All the steps are completed by hand, making each piece truly unique.
“The Emerald Iceberg is the illustration of a new approach in watchmaking,” explains Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie. “It is a sort of ‘open source’ where supplying partners, team members, and customers join forces to come up with totally new ideas.”
All the Details
The Antarctique Emerald Iceberg comes in a 40.5 mm stainless steel case with a water resistance of 120 metres. It is powered by the brand’s Calibre SHX5 that was conceived in-house by a multifaceted team. The automatic movement features a powerful micro-rotor made of fully recycled platinum, a free-sprung balance wheel with variable inertia provided by four gold balancing weights, and a power reserve of 60 hours. The functions include hours, minutes, and seconds that are indicated with sword-shaped hands enhanced with Super-LumiNova for excellent legibility at night.
The collection is limited to 10 pieces and comes on an integrated stainless steel Czapek bracelet whose links join to form a modern “C” shape. There is also the possibility for a black leather or rubber strap which can be easily interchanged via a quick release system.
So, wherever your adventures take you, the Czapek Antarctique Emerald Iceberg will remind you of the magic of nature. And who knows, maybe it will even inspire you to explore the South Pole in search of this natural icy phenomenon. It would be worth it just for the wrist shot!
