Czapek & Cie. – ANTARCTIQUE ‘Artists & Artisans - Piece N°1’ - Unique Piece

Czapek & Cie. – ANTARCTIQUE ‘Artists & Artisans - Pièce N°1’ - Unique Piece TimeForArt Special Edition 2024

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Czapek & Cie is proud to announce the creation of an extraordinary and exclusive Antarctique timepiece, titled ‘Artists & Artisans - Pièce N°1’, for the prestigious TimeForArt auction. This unique watch showcases the artistry of master engraver Michèle Rothen, in collaboration with Czapek’s long-term partner, Metalem.

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At the heart of this exceptional creation lies the dial, made from a rare gold alloy, Alloy 401, which Czapek has branded as the ‘Secret Alloy.’ The dial features a hand-decorated engraving, artfully blackened to highlight the intricate design representing Czapek's SXH5 caliber. This detailed engraving with a striking ‘trompe l’oeil’ effect resembles the aesthetics of a skeleton watch. Complementing the design, the dial is fi nished with three-dimensional indexes, adding depth and sophistication. The sword-shaped hands add a sporty elegance while ensuring optimal readability.

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Speaking about the collaboration, Czapek CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel reflected on the brand’s motto, We collect rare people, and how this project is a true embodiment of that philosophy. “This unique piece is the first of a series that will bring together the rare talents of artists and artisans, in this case our historical manufacturing partner Metalem and our dear friend and master engraver Michèle Rothen. Their artistry and craftsmanship are the perfect reflection of our commitment to preserving and promoting the rare individuals who contribute to the art of watchmaking. We are honored to donate this unique creation to benefit the Swiss Institute, and to demonstrate once again that luxury is about not just rare crafts, but the people behind them”.

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The 40.5mm stainless steel case showcases another layer of visual intrigue with its unique double ‘trompe l’oeil’ curve, an unconventional yet iconic design of this collection. The stainless steel integrated bracelet features a stunning contrast of brushed and highly polished links shaped like a ‘C’ for Czapek. Additionally, the bracelet is equipped with a quick-change system, off ering versatility with an easy switch to a rubber or leather strap, and a micro-adjustment.

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But there’s more, this bracelet will also feature a micro-adjustment system mid-2024. An additional strap is provided, as Czapek has developed an exclusive quick-change system allowing the wearer to switch from one strap to another in a minute. To provide a maximum versatility and playful experience, rubber straps whose pattern recalls the "Stairway to Eternity" design on the Passage de Drake dial, are available in a large choice of colors. A selection of soft calf straps with contrasting topstitches can be also order on demand.

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The SXH5.01 automatic caliber is the first to be entirely conceived in-house by Czapek from a blank page. Every part of it has been made with care to detail and with the help of the top Swiss manufacturing partners and craftsmen, la crème de la crème, the magnificent orchestra directed by Czapek in the We Collect Rare People spirit. The microrotor, is placed off-center to allow a plunging view into the mechanism and its exceptional architecture. 

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A free-sprung balance wheel with variable inertia provided by four gold adjustable weights enables the highest level of precision tuning. The gear train is held in place by a series of seven handsome skeletonized bridges. Their original shape is reminiscent of lace, inspired on one side by XIX century pocket watches, and by the very modern Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph’s rotor. The movement has superlative finishing on the bridges that merges ‘haute horlogerie’ angling techniques with state-ot-the-art laser

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The Artists & Artisans - Pièce N°1 is powered by the SXH5 automatic caliber, boasting a 60-hour power reserve and a micro-rotor crafted from recycled platinum. This caliber blends the elegance of traditional haute horlogerie fi nishing techniques with cutting-edge laser engravings, ensuring both sophistication and high reliability.

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TimeForArt is a curated benefit auction of exceptional timepieces from the world’s greatest watchmakers, with 100% of the proceeds directly enabling today’s most visionary artists through the Swiss Institute’s exhibitions, public programs, education, and community engagement workshops – all of which are free of charge. The biennial auction also serves as a year-round platform for exchange between the horological and visual arts.

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The inaugural edition of TimeForArt was held as part of the Phillips New York Watch Auction: SEVEN in 2022. The second edition will take place during the live Phillips New York Watch Auction in December 2024, giving collectors another chance to acquire extraordinary timepieces while supporting the art world.

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This one-of-a-kind timepiece, the Antarctique “Artists & Artisans - Pièce N°1,” has been generously donated by Czapek to support the Swiss Institute’s mission. The watch will be available at the upcoming TimeForArt auction.

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About Czapek & Cie
 
François Czapek was a Czech-born Polish watchmaker who fled to Geneva in 1832 after fighting in the Polish uprising. He immediately started his own atelier and in 1839 entered into a partnership with Antoine Norbert de Patek, introducing him to the world of watchmaking. In 1845, at the end of their partnership, he created Czapek & Cie and achieved considerable success. He became the official watchmaker of Napoleon III and opened, what was most likely the first watchmaking boutique on the Place Vendome in Paris. 

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He wrote a book about watchmaking, but unfortunately, he died before publishing a second one. Czapek & Cie has been revived in 2015 with an exceptional collection, whose leading model won the Public Prize in the Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie in Geneva in November 2016. This collection takes its inspiration from an 1850’s Czapek time piece. It features a beautiful enamel dial and a 7-day proprietary movement perfectly combining craftsmanship with design and exclusivity with rarity. The Company second collection, a suspended Tourbillon with a second time-zone, was launched one year later in 2017, while the first Czapek chronograph Faubourg de Cracovie was unveiled at Baselworld 2018. The company is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

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TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Model name:   GARRICK – Antarctique  ‘Artists & Artisans - Pièce N°1’Edition

🔰LIMITED EDITION    1 watches - Unique Piece

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MOVEMENT
Calibre SXH5.01: Czapek's in house self-winding
mechanical movement
- Diameter: 30 mm – 13 lines ¼
- Height: 4.2 mm
- Number of parts: 193
- Jewels: 28
- Swiss lever escapement, variable-inertia balance
fitted with four gold inertia-blocks
- Frequency: 4 Hz – 28’800 VpH
- Power winding system: Micro-rotor with a recycled platinum Pt 950  mass
- Power-reserve > 60 hours on one single barrel
- Barrel torque: 8.8 Nmm
FINISH
Open ratchets, sandblasted black bridges,
bevelling, straight-grained sides, six hand-chamfered inward angles
FUNCTIONS
Hours, minutes and central seconds
CASE
Case bi-metallic stainless steel - No: 17133

- Diameter: 40.50 mm steel case bi-metallic stainless steel
- Height: 10.6 mm
- Sapphire case back with anti-reflective treatment on the inner side
- Glass: Sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment
- Water resistance: 120m
- Screwed-down crown, guards and C links on integrated bracelet
DIAL
Dial engraved by hand by Swiss artisan M. Rothen with a trompe l’oeil effect representing the SXH5 caliber

Dial, made from a rare gold alloy, Alloy 401, which Czapek has branded as the ‘Secret Alloy.’
BRACELET
Integrated stainless steel bracelet with Czapek exclusive ‘Easy Release’ system and microadjustment mechanism

 

• Accessories: Accompanied by Czapek Passport, instruction manual, additional deployant clasp, additional rubber bracelet, three setting tools, setting pins, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

 PRODUCTION

🔰Edition - Only of ✅ 1 - Unique piece donated to TimeForArt

🔴 PRICE Estimate: USD 40'000 - 80'000 (including GST).

 

For more information, visit 👉 www.timeforart.ch 

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Press Release - 2024
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Czapek & Cie – 2, Rue Saint-Léger, 1205 Genève Suisse
Contact presse: Valeria Garavaglia Pedroni
Email: valeria@czapek.com | jane@czapek.com (UK)

Tel.  +41 79 314 08 54
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