Hello, today I would like to talk about a brand resurrected in 2012. It is the Czapek brand. Before presenting one of their novelties introduced at Watches & Wonders 2024, let me tell you about the history of this brand.
It all started with the birth of Franciszek Czapek in 1811 in Semonice in the Kingdom of Bohemia (today’s Czech Republic). He emigrated to Poland with his family in his youth, retaining both Czech and Polish nationality. In 1832, he fled to Switzerland after the failed Polish insurrection in which he actively participated. A talented watchmaker, he founded his first company, Czapek & Moreau, with a local partner.
It was in 1836 that François Czapek and Antoine Norbert de Patek, both Polish emigrants, met. Czapek invited his compatriot Patek to enter the watchmaking business. Together, they founded the company Patek, Czapek & Cie in 1839. After six years of collaboration, the two men continued to produce timepieces separately. Czapek founded Czapek & Cie on May 1, 1845, with a new partner, Juliusz Gruzewski, while Patek partnered with Adrien Philippe to form the famous brand Patek Philippe.
This new collaboration for Czapek proved even more fruitful and lasted until 1871. It allowed Czapek to be recognized as one of the greatest watchmakers of the 19th century. He even became a supplier to the Imperial Court and watchmaker to Napoleon III. At its peak, the company had boutiques in Geneva, Warsaw, and Paris, Place Vendôme (at number 25).
It wasn’t until 2012 that three entrepreneurs named Sébastien Follonier, Xavier de Roquemaurel, and Harry Guhl officially resurrected the name of the Czapek company. In 2015, it rose from its ashes with a crowdfunding campaign. Once the finances were obtained, the founders revived almost all the codes of the Geneva manufacture and proposed, the same year, a first timepiece inspired by a model imagined by François Czapek in 1850, the “Quai de Bergues No 33bis”.
After several models like the Quai des Bergues and the Faubourg de Cracovie, the brand’s popularity truly exploded in 2020 with the presentation of the Antarctique collection. In 2021, Czapek created the Antarctique Viridian Green in partnership with Fratello watches. Following this release, many collectors asked if they would repeat the green dial experience. Today, it’s done with this new variant featuring a green meteorite dial – the Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor. Now, let’s examine the watch.
What are the features of the Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor?
Case
The Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor features a brushed and polished stainless steel case measuring 40.5 mm in diameter and 10.6 mm in thickness. Featuring a distinctive double curve trompe-l’œil or “optical illusion,” this case is water-resistant to 12 ATM.
Dial
The Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor is adorned with a natural Gibeon meteorite dial that fell in Namibia during prehistoric times, about 600 million years ago. The gray meteorite has been transformed with a green lacquer. Applied in several layers and polished to perfection, it appears to change tone under different lighting conditions. However, it is an optical illusion caused by the light capturing the geometric lines, known as the Widmanstätten pattern, created by the crystallized structures of the iron-nickel alloy. Thanks to this crystalline structure, the pattern is different on each slice of meteorite used to create a watch dial, making each piece unique.
Movement
The Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor houses an in-house designed SXH5 automatic caliber. Equipped with a Swiss lever escapement and a variable inertia balance, its design is inspired by the 19th-century watch movement and the rotor of the Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), this timepiece offers a 60-hour power reserve.
Bracelet
The Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor comes with a superb integrated stainless steel bracelet featuring the brand’s exclusive “Easy Release” system, allowing effortless bracelet changes. The bracelet also boasts a micro-adjustment device that ensures perfect wrist comfort. For those seeking a different look, an additional calf leather or rubber strap is included.
How much does the Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor?
The Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor is a limited edition of only 100 pieces, available for pre-order at a price of CHF 25,000 (excluding VAT), equivalent to AED 101,200. Deliveries will begin in the second quarter of 2025.
Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor: A watch with a thousand shades
The Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor is truly a watch I appreciate. The overall design of the piece, the comfort thanks to the micro-adjustment system, and of course, this green dial with its thousand shades. This model is, in my opinion, a real success and will be perfect to wear with a summer outfit to stroll along the French Riviera or with a more formal outfit. What I appreciate is that this watch intrigues but is not ostentatious. I would like to thank Valeria who welcomed me to the Czapek boutique in Geneva to present the latest novelties of 2024. A warm and relaxed moment in a very Czapek setting.
Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Czapek
- Model: Antarctique Green Meteor
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Dial: Gibeon Meteorite with Green Lacquer
- Functions: Hours, Minutes, Secondes
- Movement: SXH5, Self-Winding, 28’800vph frequency (4Hz), 28 jewels and 193 parts
- Power Reserve: 60 Hours
- Water Resistance: 12 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire
- Case Dimension: 40.5 mm (Diameter) × 10.6mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Stainless Steel
- Availability : Limited to 100 pieces
- Retail Price; CHF 25’000, equivalent to AED 101’200 (Excluding VAT)
What do you think of the Czapek brand? Meteorite, simple fascination or an aesthetic plus on a watch? Give me your point of view in the comments.
For more information about Czapek, click here.
