Brand Review: Czapek Watches

To understand the history, art, and nature of Czapek a library of Czapek watches was constructed. Below are some of the models from Czapek.

Czapek Quai des Bergues Collection

The Czapek Quai des Bergues is immediately identified by its two subdial, one for a tiny second and the other as an initial combined power reserve and a weekday tracker with a double-edged hand and is accessible in gold (with enamel dial), titanium or stainless steel. It is equipped with a unique manually wounded caliber, produced by Chronode for a seven-day power reserve.

Czapek Place Vendôme Collection

The "Ici et Ailleurs" series of Czapek Place Vendôme Tourbillónwas named after the Paris square, where François Czapek opened a store in the middle of the 19th century, which was thought to be the first-ever Haute Horlogerie shop on this popular square. The 4 versions in limited production have a one-minute suspended tourbillon, a second-time zone for those who travel around the globe, a day/night disk and an energy reserve tracker. Czapek enthusiasts can also recognize the peculiar look of the watch with both subdials at 7:30 and 4:30, even with its new features.

Place Vendôme is the second stage of the Revival of Czapek. This stresses the transition from history to current and from now to the future. Here is the latest collection in this model

Czapek & Cie Place Vendôme Tourbillon GMT

At Baselworld 2019 two new versions were launched with Czapek's ultra-high-end Czapek Place Vendôme featuring a tourbillon and GMT feature. These two new versions were the Ombres and the Etincelles.

The Ombres model varies most from that launched in 2017. The titanium not only the difference but also has different hands and numerals. It was previously not included in the models Czapek Place Vendôme. No more hands of Fleur de Ly and no more numerals of the Roman type. The Etincelles version is made in a minimum of 72 sweet-cut diamonds and still features the hands and roman numeral of the Fleur de Lys, which is made of platinum.

All Czapek Place Vendôme models are powered by Czapek's own manually wound SXH2 caliber. It beats at 21,600/hour, and a 60 hours power reserve is given by a single barrel spring The SXH2 diameter is 34.8 mm and 9.8 millimeters in height. The height enables the movement to be used in discrete and sleek watches, despite the large diameter. Bridges are brushed with satin, whereas ratchets are typically open-worked by Czapek. On the rear of the movement, there is an inscription on the second time zone Tourbillon Suspendu–Ici et Ailleurs.

Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Collection

The chronograph Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie is the 3rd collection of the firm and was named after the place where Czapek opened his 3rd boutique in Warsaw, Poland in 1850. The interior caliber is also the third in terms of Czapek, following the seven-day movement that was wound manually in the Czapek Quai des Bergues, and the GMT-suspended tourbillon in Czapek Place Vendôme which is both famous for the late François Czapek. This caliber is a 5Hz column-wheel, incorporated Chronograph which employs some of the most sophisticated and efficient mechanical components, such as the linear hammer that reduces wear and tear on components and easy movement restarts all the associated dials and the vertical clutch to ensure the chronograph hand is perfectly started. Another important milestone in the modern company's culture is Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie, for the enjoyment of worldwide lovers of the watch and enthusiasts.

Czapek & Cie Faubourg De Cracovie Salmon Watches

The story goes that a customer ordered a salmon dial with blue hands and markers, Czapek, therefore, made a special Czapek Quai des Bergues model The stunning outcome seemed to shock them. The new Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie series has therefore begun being developed. Four versions have been developed, each named after the four most famous salmon species of the Pacific (of course).

Salmon's various species

In this article, I will talk about models Chinook, Coho, King and Sockeye. The only distinction is that the salmon blue and silver signatures are dispersed differently. The Coho is recognized by his guilloche salmon dial and silver subdial; the Chinook is distinguished by its blue dial, the King has the entire salmon setup and the Sockeye is the single model for blue subdials.

The exclusive SXH3 powers the Czapek & Cie Faubourg de Cracovie watches. Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier specifically produces this automated 5Hz chronograph system for Czapek & Cie. The caliber is no slouch with a 65-hour power reserve, a golden weight of the rotor, a column rim, a vertical clutch, and a linear hammer. Such features deliver a very easy-to-use experience.

First the linear hammer and vertical clutch give the chronograph an absolute start. Second, the column wheel maintains the pushers ' stability and flexibility when shifted. Eventually, the 36,000vph running speed allows the famous El Primero movements a smooth-sweeping second, which ticks at equal speed. Perhaps notably, the practical choices implemented by Czapek and Cie indicate that the corners are not cut.

In the same case works for all the four model variants. The Czapek & Cie Faubourg de Cracovie case is constructed of 316L stainless steel and measures 41.5 mm. The dial is shown under a nice, delicate vintage looking sapphire box. With the internal anti-reflective properties of the front and back of the sapphire crystals, the inner workings can be seen with great clarity.

Apart from the excellent finish, the chronograph pushers are the nicest thing about this case For crown protectors on non-chronograph designs, a common profile is used. These are an oddly contemporary alternative to the classical dial, like the movement itself.

The dials are designed by Czapek & Cie using a specially crafted 401 alloy. The mix includes 55 percent gold, while platinum, palladium, and silver make up the remaining 45 percent. The empty dial is then handmade. The outcome is a very valuable item.

Czapek Genève Faubourg de Cracovie Chronograph

Czapek Chronograph

Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie contains three dial variants. The first one is the Grand Feu, the watch has a nice white enamel dial with a hidden signature, as the name suggests. The name L'Heure-Bleue is inspired by the blue hour term–the period when the sun is below the horizon, and for about twenty minutes the prevailing sky color is blue.

The case of 41.5 mm steel is inherited by the Fleur de Lys No 33 Czapek Quai des Bergues. The new case "transformed" to match the movement of the chronograph while lines and principal finishes are identical. The new design is more sporty with cutouts on the sides of the case. These cut-outs also extend to the lugs. It is now sliced into pushers, which was formerly an elongated crown protection Integration is carried out swiftly and efficiently. The pushers provide a strong haptic experience and detailed feedback.

The protection of the crown and Chrono pusher have a nicely polished bent edge which is satin-brushed. The crown is crafted according to the famous line of polished surface watches from Czapek. The crown has the logo of the company.

The case is polished in the mirror with sandblasted and brushed sides. The bezel is extended, polished and is equipped with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal box The crystal box gives a feeling of vintage. You may also order Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie with Plexi crystal for those who want an even more vintage look. Seven screws are used to fix the case back. SXH3 caliber with internal anti-reflective treatment is noticeable under sapphire.

The dial is built to consist of two Register chronographs with the asymmetrical representation of 12 hours or 30 minutes at nine and three o'clock, respectively.

At six o'clock, is where the small seconds and color-matched date window are set. These are great efforts that have been made to make the correct color data disk. It is also possible to order the watch without the date window for the purist, who may consider not to have a date slot too.

The metal dials are adorned with a "Ricochet" classic guilloché that also appears in the set of the Czapek Quai des Bergues. An essential detail is the design of the bombé, which requires a high level of expertise. The main dial is soldered to the chrono-subdials.

Using the grand feu process, the white dial is produced. The firm doing these dials, with extensive experience, Donzé Cadrans is one of the most popular distributors. The hidden signature which is apparent in certain positions and light conditions is fascinating about the Czapek grand feu dials.

Chronograph Czapek Genève Faubourg de Cracovie is powered by the SXH3 caliber. Together with Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, the movement was developed. The foundation is the SEED VMF 6710 ébauche, which could also be seen in other products in the future. The movement is the product of the development of over six years. Czapek is the only watchmaker that uses it currently. The movement in particular for Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie is customized and decorated 5Hz high speed provides chronometric accuracy Besides, the caliber SXH3 comes with a spectacular 65-hour power reserve.