A vibrant, ultralight Antarctique limited edition

Every watch is essentially subjected to two sets of fundamental laws. The first is mechanics, which means everything must function like clockwork, quite literally. The second is aesthetics and is far more subjective: a watch must be visually attractive, provocative, seductive. Czapek’s latest launch, the Antarctique Titanium Dark Sector 'Cosmic Blue' strikes a perfectly symbiotic balance between these two poles. It is driven by the tried-and-true SHX5, and its dial was designed for excellent readability and viewing pleasure.

In a fresh and original play on the traditional notion of a sector dial, a classical minute track around the periphery frames two concentric circles with polished and slightly domed surfaces. These circles are broken at 12 points, thus marking each hour with a void, rather than a solid index or numeral. As the sword shaped luminescent hands move around the dial, they create subtle visual shifts: the hour hand pointing towards a void on the hour and the minutes hand and red tip of the seconds hand covering the voids as they pass. The design of the hours track was inspired by the Calibre SXH5 bridges, retaining their essence with the hollowed central area framed by the raised and highly polished surfaces of the two circles.

The sapphire crystal caseback reveals the distinctive architecture of Calibre SXH5, with its seven skeletonised bridges – inspired by François Czapek's 19th-century pocket watches – and off-centre micro-rotor. The fine decorative finishing plays on contrasts: the matte effect of sandblasted surfaces, the high shine of hand-bevelling and polishing; the mirror-smooth central bridge in black-polished steel. Created for the launch of the Antarctique collection in 2020, Calibre SXH5 represents a milestone in Czapek’s modern history as the first movement conceived and fully developed in-house. Combining the aesthetics of Haute Horlogerie with the precision and performance of a sports watch, the bi-directional winding micro-rotor is made of recycled 950 platinum for optimal inertia, the balance wheel beats at a frequency of 4Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and the single barrel is engineered to ensure a power reserve of 60 hours.

In fine watchmaking, every little detail counts. Besides the exceptional SHX5 movement and the sleek and sharp design of the case or the dial, a great deal of attention was put on the bracelet. The feeling when placed on the wrist, the comfort in every situation and lightness are as important as the timepiece visual and technical qualities. The capability to be forgotten by its wearer and to suddenly reveal its stunning beauty create an intensely pleasurable dichotomy. This is why the Antarctique Dark Sector is equipped by an ergonomic brushed integrated bracelet in Grade 5 Titanium, whose links mesh to form a brushed "C" for Czapek. This bracelet also features a micro-adjustment system, allowing the wearer to extend its length by few millimeters in an instant.

Limited Edition: 25 pieces

Specifications

Functions

• Hours, Minutes, Seconds

Movement

• Calibre SXH5: Czapek's in house self-winding mechanical movement
• Diameter: 30 mm – 13 lines 1⁄4
• Height: 4.2 mm
• Number of parts: 193
• Jewels: 28
• Swiss lever escapement, variable-inertia balance fitted with four gold inertia-blocks
• Frequency: 4 Hz – 28800 VpH
• Power winding system: Micro rotor with a recycled platinum mass
• Power-reserve > 56 hours on one single barrel
• Barrel torque: 8.8 Nmm

Finish

• Open ratchets, sandblasted black bridges, bevelling, straight-grained sides, six hand- chamfered inward angles

Case

• 40.5mm Grade 5 Titanium
• Sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment
• Sapphire case back with anti-reflective treatment on the inner side
• Water resistance: 120m
• Screwed-down crown

Bracelet

• Integrated Grade 5 titanium bracelet with Czapek exclusive "Easy Release" system and micro adjustment
• Optional leather or rubber strap

Dial

• Cosmic Blue dial with 'sector' applied markers
• Luminescent, steel "Sword" hands