Czapek Introduces New Colours To The Antarctique Passage de Drake Collection
4 min read
Czapek has added two new colours to its popular Antarctique Passage de Drake watch collection. The Passage de Drake Glacier Blue, which will be available as part of the normal collection, and the Passage de Drake Salmon, which will be available in a limited edition of 99 pieces.
The pursuit of Beauty through both mechanical and aesthetic innovation is a preoccupation at Capek. This constant innovation was started by the Maison's spiritus rector, the XIX Century watchmaker François Czapek, and has continued throughout the current history of the firm since its relaunch in 2015.
Listening to the goals and wishes of Czapek's "Rare People" is frequently used to inspire research and development. "We Collect Rare People," says the brand's motto. This was the case with the Antarctique Passage de Drake collection's two new dial colors.
"At Czapek, we are watch enthusiasts serving watch lovers. Our objective is to give watch collectors a creative outlet to express themselves via their timepieces. At the same time, we are frequently trendsetters," adds Czapek & Cie CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel. They had both the light blue and salmon hues in their pipeline before ever releasing them, and they had many unique requests for these colours from collectors before even publicizing them.
The Czapek "Stairway to Eternity" registered pattern is featured on both the Passage de Drake Salmon and Glacier Blue dials, a distinctive trapezoid motif whose three-dimensional stamped surface provides a play of shadows over the dial. While the salmon colour is achieved using a galvanic treatment known as "galvanoplastic," the Glacier Blue hue can only be achieved through a PVD (physical vapour deposition) treatment. In both cases, Czapek worked with its longtime Swiss partner Metalem.
The 30mm SXH5 automatic calibre, the first Czapek in-house movement, powers both clocks. Its strong micro-rotor is set off-center to provide a diving look into the mechanism, and it is composed of completely recycled platinum 950. The gear train is held in place by a series of seven skeletonized bridges inspired by both the rotor of the Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph and the design of a pocket watch from the nineteenth century. The bridges of the movement have exceptional finishing, combining Haute Horlogerie angling techniques with state-of-the-art laser engravings.
The Passage de Drake Glacier Blue and Salmon are fitted with the Antarctique stainless steel bracelet's revolutionary micro-adjustment technology, which was debuted in December 2021. Customers who purchase these new Antarctique Passage de Drake references, as well as any other Antarctique Passage de Drake, can now pick between the Arabic numeral "12" or the double index "I" at 12 o'clock on the dial. Capek also offers various customization possibilities, such as a personalized inscription on the case back, a totally brushed metal bracelet for a sportier feel, and a complimentary supplementary strap in rubber or leather.
As of February 8, 2022, the Antarctique Passage de Drake Glacier Blue and Salmon will be available on Czapek.com, at the Geneva flagship boutique, 18 rue de la Corraterie, and at the brand's official merchants worldwide.
