Although the brand's roots trace back to François Czapek, a Polish watchmaker of Czech origin who fled to Geneva in 1832 after participating in the Polish uprising, Czapek & Cie. was revived in 2015 through crowdfunding. In just a few years, the brand introduced four distinct collections: the elegant Quai des Bergues, the Place Vendôme Tourbillon, the Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph, and finally the luxurious sports watch Antarctique, equipped with the exquisite in-house SXH5 caliber with a micro-rotor. Following the successful introduction of the time-only Antarctique model, this version now features a striking split-seconds chronograph movement, all its intricacies visible from the dial side. Meet the Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante Silver Grey.
If the chronograph is one of the most revered complications, the 'rattrapante' function (or split-seconds) takes it to an entirely new level. The word 'rattrapante' translates from French as 'to catch up.' Rattrapante chronographs feature two superimposed second hands that simultaneously record the time of two events of different durations. One hand (the rattrapante) can be stopped to measure an intermediate time while the other (the trotteuse) continues to run. Pressing the rattrapante button again allows the stopped hand to catch up with the moving one.
The first thing that catches the eye in the Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante model is how the brand has positioned the complex and beautifully finished split-seconds chronograph movement on the dial side, proudly showcasing two column wheels, a horizontal clutch, and the rattrapante clamp. The sub-dials (a minute counter at 4 o'clock and a small seconds at 7 o'clock), reminiscent of the Quai des Bergues layout, are positioned at the bottom of the dial, freeing up space for the chronograph mechanism. The rattrapante mechanism with the column wheel and clamp can be seen at the bottom of the dial. A dramatic tripod bridge in the center holds the patented satellite minute mechanism and the patented split-seconds chronograph mechanism.
The automatic SXH6 caliber is manufactured by Jean-François Mojon at Chronode (as are the Quai des Bergues SXH1 and Place Vendôme Tourbillon SXH2 - noteworthy information, Mojon first worked on chronographs about 20 years ago when he was at IWC) in Le Locle. Turning the watch over, you can admire the automatic base movement through the exhibition case back. Its variable inertia balance operates at a frequency of 4 Hz. The power reserve is 60 hours. The rotor is equipped with a rose gold weight.
The SXH6 caliber mechanism, consisting of 292 components, is housed in a 42.5 mm x 15.3 mm stainless steel case with an integrated steel bracelet. Thanks to the use of sapphire crystal, the case height (from bezel to back case) is 10.5 mm. In the monopusher chronograph, the button integrated into the crown at the 2 o'clock position allows for start-stop-reset functions. The split-seconds function is activated via the button at 10 o'clock. Water resistance is 120 meters.
The Antarctique Rattrapante model comes with a Czapek stainless steel bracelet with links in the shape of a stylized C; it closes with a folding clasp. The brand's interchangeability system allows the bracelet to be swapped for a rubber or leather strap in seconds.
The Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante Silver Grey watch will be available at the brand's boutique in Geneva, through official retailers, and online at czapek.com in a limited edition of 77 pieces as part of a subscription campaign. The retail price is $55,500. For more information, visit www.czapek.com.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - CZAPEK ANTARCTIQUE RATTRAPANTE
Case: diameter 42.5 mm x height 15.3 mm - stainless steel case, matte with polished accents - sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment - sapphire case back - water resistance up to 120 meters
Dial: open-worked dial - blued steel hour and minute hands with Super-LumiNova luminescent coating
Movement: in-house caliber SXH6 (made in collaboration with Chronode) - 34 mm - 28,800 vibrations/hour - 60-hour power reserve - 49 jewels - 292 components - monopusher chronograph with split-seconds, column wheels, and horizontal clutch
Bracelet: stainless steel bracelet with exclusive interchangeability system - folding clasp
Availability: limited edition of 77 pieces
Price: $55,500