Czapek Introduces Two New Versions of their Antarctique in Glacier Blue and Salmon

When we last checked in on Czapek, they had just introduced the Antarctique Rattrapante at Geneva Watch Days, and were enjoying perhaps the highest wave of enthusiasm the still relatively young brand has seen. That watch was a genuine hit, and a true crowd pleaser, selling out if its limited run almost as soon as it had been unveiled. For the brand’s latest release, they’ve returned to the Antarctique platform, but in a somewhat more modest and traditional execution than the rather ambitious exposed rattrapante we saw last year. The new watches are part of the Antarctique Passage de Drake collection, and like every Antarctique represent a compelling alternative to the hyped up integrated bracelet sports watches of the moment (not that these will be any easier to get). 

We’ll start with the dials. This release debuts Glacier Blue and Salmon colorways to the collection, with the Salmon being a limited edition of 99 pieces. The dial’s prominent design feature is Czapek’s “Stairway to Heaven” pattern, a series of trapezoids that appear to be running diagonally across the dial’s surface. It’s important to note that these dials are not executed using a guilloche technique, but have stamped (they’re manufactured by Metalem, a Swiss dial maker generally held in very high esteem). According to Czapek, the salmon color is created using a galvanic treatment, while the blue tone is created using a PVD treatment. 

The case is stainless steel and measures 40.5mm in diameter, and is mounted to an integrated stainless steel bracelet with a unique “C” shaped polished middle link. At 10.6mm thick, this watch is comparable in size to many of the more well known integrated bracelet sports watches that fetch staggering sums at auction and on the second hand market. Everything here looks very well finished in photographs, with precise brushing being the dominant technique across most surfaces on the case. This does not read as a particularly blingy watch, at least compared to the obvious competition. 

The movement used in these references is the SXH5 caliber, which has been used previously in Antarctique references, and is the first movement to be made in-house by Czapek. Aesthetically, it’s quite dramatic, dominated by a series of seven skeletonized bridges in a shape inspired by 19th century pocket watches. The movement winds with the aid of a platinum micro-rotor, and its height of just 4.2mm is what enables Czapek to achieve a design that is so thin. Even with all the space saving, the movement is still capable of holding a power reserve of around 56 hours. 

One important way that Czapek differentiates itself from other brands selling similar watches is the ability for each purchaser to customize their own watch to a certain degree. In the case of these new Antarctiques, customers have the option of either an Arabic numeral “12” at the top of the dial, or a double applied index. Clients can also choose the color of the second hand, and can elect to have the bracelet fully brushed.

These new watches are available through Czapek retailers right now, each carrying a retail price of $22,000. Czapek