3 new timepieces in gold for the "Antarctique Mount Erebus" collection from Czapek

Mount Erebus, the name of the watch, is an active volcano in Antarctica known for releasing microscopic gold particles during its eruptions. Czapek dedicated an entire collection to this extraordinary natural phenomenon, featuring gold cases. It was first introduced last year.

New Czapek Trio in Gold

The first of the new models is the "Antarctique Mount Erebus Lapis Lazuli" in rose gold with a lapis lazuli dial. It is complemented by the "Antarctique Mount Erebus Falcon Eye" 2, also in rose gold, with a falcon's eye quartz dial. Rounding out the collection is the "Antarctique Mount Erebus Green Meteor" in yellow gold with a Gibeon meteorite dial.

All three dials are created in close collaboration with Gemmes-Tech, a Swiss workshop specializing in the processing of precious and mineral stones for the watch industry.

“When I visited our partner Gemmes-Tech and saw these stones in their raw form for the first time, I was fascinated by their colors,” recalls Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie.

"The deep blue of lapis lazuli with its golden sparks, the shimmering reflections of the hawk's eye, and the extraterrestrial geometry of the meteorite are true works of art from nature. It's an honor to be able to transform them into dials and witness the interplay between the gold hue and the colors of the stones. Working with such fragile materials is challenging, but it is precisely this fragility and unpredictability that makes each piece unique, dynamic, and vibrant."

Lapis lazuli from sustainable cultivation

The lapis lazuli used for the "Mount Erebus" collection comes from sustainable, conflict-free, and traceable mining in Afghanistan. Its characteristic color is electric deep blue, interspersed with golden pyrite inclusions and fine white calcite veins.

Since quality and rarity depend on the intensity of the blue and the lesser presence of other minerals, the selection requires great care. The processing of the stone is also technically demanding. The lapis lazuli version is limited to ten pieces.

Lively Hawkeye

Hawk's eye stone originates from South Africa. Its processing also requires considerable skill. Its color play of bluish, anthracite gray, and golden shades is created by a geological process in which crocidolite veins are gradually replaced by quartz, while their fibrous structure remains intact.

This internal structure makes the stone very fragile—only one in five cut blanks is flawless and usable. From these, Czapek selected stones with expressive streaks and inclusions to create particularly vibrant dials. Ten examples of this model exist.

Gibeon meteorite in green

The third model in the series features a dial made of Gibeon meteorite from Namibia. Its characteristic Widmanstätten pattern is revealed through etching and then coated with transparent green lacquer.

While the 2023 steel version shone in a greenish-blue tone, the green of the new "Mount Erebus Green Meteor" appears warmer, harmonizing with the yellow gold case. This version is limited to eight models.

Manufacture caliber for the “Antarctique Mount Erebus”

Water-resistant to 12 bar, all three 40.5-millimeter gold cases house the automatic SXH5 caliber with a 40-hour power reserve—the first movement developed entirely in-house by Czapek. The open construction features black bridges with straight and grained sides and six beveled edges. It is visible through the sapphire crystal case back.

The new Antarctique Mount Erebus watches are worn on a precious metal, alligator leather, or rubber strap. (RRP €44,600–€84,100)