BY JOVAN KRSTEVSKI
For the 10th anniversary year since the revival of Czapek & Cie, that also happens to be the 180th anniversary of the namesake watchmaking Maison founded in 1845 by François Czapek, Czapek & Cie just gave their Antarctique collection a wild spin — quite literally — with the introduction of the Antarctique Tourbillon. We’re talking about a flying tourbillon regulator front and center in three esoteric dial variants: Glacier Blue, Photon Sphere (a warm 5N gold hue), and the elusive Secret Alloy Grey, which is limited to 50 pieces.
The case, reimagined to accentuate its curvilinear aesthetic, measures 40.5mm x 11.5mm. It plays up its transparency with subtly raised sapphire crystals, which scry a floating effect. On the reverse side, engravings typically sequestered on the bezel are supplanted inside the crystal via metallization; reading ‘true’ from the outside. The convex rotor mirrors the guilloché pattern, giving more subtext to its design approach. While it’s very sophisticated, this design could come off as overly hammy for the “modern sporty-chic watch” category it subscribes to.
Now, the dial. It’s all guilloché, but not the stuff your grandfather pined for. The Singularité vortex guilloché pattern, a collaboration with Metalem, creates a discombobulating illusion of infinite depth. Hour markers are part of the flange, embracing a clean layout and esoteric charm. Glacier Blue, Photon Sphere and the sequestered Secret Alloy colors lend each variant its unique vernacular.
The movement is Calibre 9; in-house and built to vindicate their engineering chops. Everything lines up on a vertical axis: barrel, gear train, tourbillon; no clutter, no nonsense. Slender bridges exalt open spaces and the convex titanium tourbillon cage looks positively alien. I think it’s clever without being showy.
The watch comes on a stainless-steel bracelet with micro-adjustment, a quick-change system and a rubber strap thrown in. The retail price is CHF 63,000 (Excl. taxes). Available for pre-order at dealers worldwide, their Geneva boutique, and their website.
