Czapek combines the traditional art of watchmaking with modern watch architecture

Czapek combines the traditional art of watchmaking with modern watch architecture

The new "Antarctique Tourbillon" is equipped with the equally new in-house Caliber 9 and a flying tourbillon. The timepiece also distinguishes itself with an expressive dial featuring the dynamic "Singularité" guilloché pattern.

The reason for the launch of this at-first-glance impressive creation is the 10th anniversary of Czapek's re-establishment. This coincides with the 180th anniversary of the original founding by François Czapek in 1845. The "Antarctique Tourbillon" easily holds up upon closer inspection.

"After the rattrapante, we have now taken an unexpected direction and interpreted a traditional technique – the tourbillon – in a new, ultra-modern form. Our approach was to combine tradition with the avant-garde. The new, in-house tourbillon caliber is the result."

The new Caliber 9 – a milestone for Czapek

The three main elements – tourbillon, gear train and barrel – of this new Czapek movement are precisely aligned along the vertical axis and designed to appear floating and light.

The open, flying tourbillon appears to float between the main plate and the dial, directly connected to the gear train, which extends beneath a curved minute bridge. The mainspring barrel dominates the upper section of the dial and sits enthroned in a recess beneath another, delicately crafted bridge. Hand-polished edges and delicate satin finishes demonstrate the watch's attention to detail.

“For us, it’s about the perfect symbiosis of technology and design.”

Czapek CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel

“Every adjustment changes both the mechanics and the aesthetics – a creative ping-pong between engineer and designer, in which I intervene as a source of inspiration,” explains Xavier de Roquemaurel.

Caliber 9 also brings technical innovations: from the geometry of the tourbillon with a convex titanium cage to the counterclockwise rotating winding wheel, which required a completely new gearing.

As the first caliber developed entirely in-house with components manufactured in-house, it marks a milestone for Czapek. But de Roquemaurel emphasizes:

"We focus on independence and agility—this means that we both manufacture our own components and collaborate with the best specialists. This balance between in-house production and partnerships gives us maximum freedom."

Mechanics meets craftsmanship

To emphasize the beauty of the mechanism, Czapek collaborated with Metalem, a long-time partner, to develop a new guilloché pattern with great depth. The result is the "Singularité" effect: a vortex-like structure that seemingly leads to infinity. The name derives from the astronomical singularity—those points in the universe where space and time become infinite, as in a black hole.

Creating this structure is very demanding. Unlike classic guilloché patterns, which originate from a central point, the starting point shifts with each cut.

In keeping with the visual clarity of the design, the hour markers are not mounted on the dial itself, but integrated into the rehaut. The bridges—including the dynamically curved gear train bridge—are fitted directly into the guilloché main plate.

From the very beginning, Czapek has offered its collectors opportunities for personalization. The "Antarctique Tourbillon," with its 40.5-millimeter stainless steel case, is available in three dial colors: Glacier Blue, Photon Sphere (a 5N gold tone), and the gray Secret Alloy, in a limited edition of 50 pieces.

To emphasize the curvy aesthetics of the movement and dial, the case has been redesigned. Inspired by the sapphire crystal case of the "Antarctique Rattrapante," both the front and back sapphire crystals are gently curved, creating the illusion of a bezel-free back.

Even the engravings, which are usually found on the case back, have been applied to the inside of the glass using metallization, making them readable from the outside.

Another eye-catcher is the convex-shaped 5N gold rotor. Master engraver Michel Rothen hand-engraved it with a black hole-inspired motif, matching the Singularité guilloché pattern.

The "Antarctique Tourbillon" comes with the same stainless steel bracelet as the other models in the "Antarctique" collection. It features a micro-adjustment and a quick-change system. An additional rubber or leather strap is included.

The "Antarctique Tourbillon" can be pre-ordered worldwide from authorized Czapek partners, at the Geneva boutique, and at Czapek.com. (RRP €77,950)