By Jovan K
Some watches grab attention instantly, while others reveal their beauty over time. The Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Deep Blue does both. The moment you put it on, you feel the quality. Then over time, the smaller details start to show themselves and you realize how much thought went into every part of it.
It is a modern sports watch done the right way. It looks great in photos, but it feels even better in person. There is no flash or unnecessary drama here, just confidence, refinement, and honest watchmaking.
The Dial: The Soul of the Watch
Czapek has built a reputation for some of the most captivating dials in modern watchmaking, and the Deep Blue (called Aqua Blue now) is a perfect example of why. Czapek’s Stairway to Eternity pattern brings the surface to life. It is not flat or static. Tilt your wrist and you will see waves of blue shift and ripple across the dial like reflections on open water.
The tone of blue is rich, elegant, and perfectly judged. It is deep enough to feel serious but vibrant enough to stay interesting. The polished markers and hands add sharp contrast and make reading the time effortless. Both the markers and Sword hands are luminous, ensuring legibility even in low-light conditions.
The date window at six o’clock keeps everything symmetrical and integrated. It feels completely part of the design. That sense of balance is what makes this dial so satisfying to look at.
Czapek offers subtle customisation of the dial. At 12 o’clock, you can choose classic Arabic numerals or modern double markers, like those on the watch I’m reviewing. I prefer the refined look of the double markers, though the numerals bring a sporty vibe. For the seconds hand, there are three options: fully red, with a red tip, or silver, allowing you to tailor the watch to your personal taste without compromising the overall aesthetic.
The Case and Bracelet: Smooth, Balanced, Effortless
At 40.5mm x 10.6mm, the stainless steel case has excellent proportions. It sits low, the lugs curve naturally, and the combination of brushed and polished finishing gives it character without shouting for attention. Every transition feels deliberate and refined. It features a screwed-down crown, a sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment, and a sapphire crystal caseback with anti-reflective coating on the inner side, allowing a clear view of the movement while protecting it from scratches and reflections.
The integrated bracelet is a highlight. Brushed outer links and polished inner facets catch the light, making the watch look alive from every angle. You can choose between fully polished inner links or brushed ones, although the polished version just feels more right on this model. The clasp features an easy to use micro adjustment, ensuring the perfect fit and comfort in any situation.
The clasp is secure, easy to use, and sits flat on the wrist. The quick release system makes changing straps fast and simple. Wearing it all day is effortless. It is comfortable, balanced, and reassuringly well built. The clasp features a micro adjustment, ensuring the perfect fit and comfort in any situation. The watch is also accompanied by a rubber strap and the necessary tools for changing and resizing, making it easy to adapt the watch to your mood or activity.
The Movement: Swiss Brains with Real Soul
Inside the Antarctique beats Czapek’s own SXH5 movement, developed entirely in-house. It’s an impressive piece of engineering. The open architecture lets you appreciate the modern design and the level of detail that reflects the brand’s unique approach to watchmaking.
It beats at 28’800 VpH – 4Hz and holds around 60 hours of power reserve. The microrotor is placed off-center, giving a deep, plunging view into the movement and its exceptional architecture. Made of 100% recycled platinum, it is heavier than gold to ensure efficient winding that will maintain the power reserve. A free-sprung balance wheel with four adjustable gold weights allows for precise regulation, delivering top level accuracy.
The gear train is held in place by seven good looking skeletonized bridges. Their lace-like shapes are inspired both by nineteenth century pocket watches and by the modern Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph rotor. Finishing on the bridges is superlative, merging classical haute horlogerie angling techniques with laser engravings. Every detail feels considered, refined, and precise.
This movement is made up of 193 components and 28 jewels, each carefully finished and assembled to ensure precision and reliability.
I also think that the SXH5 is one of the top 5 sexiest automatic microrotor movements in modern watchmaking. Skeletonized bridges, brushed finishing, polished bevels, and modern architecture make it look mechanical and artistic at the same time. It is a movement you want to admire through the sapphire caseback over and over.
Everyday Experience: Practical Luxury
The Antarctique Passage de Drake Deep Blue is more than just a pretty face. With 120m of water resistance, it is ready for swimming, rain, or daily wear without worry.
It wears beautifully. The bracelet moves naturally, the clasp sits flat, and the case hugs the wrist. The weight is balanced so it feels reassuring but too never heavy. The dial keeps shifting with the light, giving you something new to appreciate each time you glance at it.
It works as well under a shirt cuff as it does with a casual outfit. Versatile, functional, and surprisingly emotional to wear.
Final Thoughts
The Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Deep Blue is a watch that quietly wins you over. Everything about it feels considered. The textured dial, the integrated bracelet, and the SXH5 movement with platinum microrotor are all really well done. The design shows a sense of balance and proportion that few modern sports watches can match.
After spending time with it, you start missing it when it is not on your wrist. That is the mark of a watch that does more than tell time. It connects. At CHF 22,400 exl VAT, it is a premium investment, but one that rewards every time you wear it.
Elegant, capable, mechanically impressive, and quietly unforgettable. I will be spending more time with this watch over the next year and plan to publish a long-term review to see how it performs in daily life, from wear and comfort to movement reliability. Stay tuned.
