Will robots rule all our lives one day? Or will Czapek’s Rare People escape that fate? Might the answer be found in Czapek & Cie’s new Antarctique Rattrapante ‘R.U.R.’, where a robot adds a playful animation to the mechanics revealed beneath the grey-metallised sapphire dial? As the chronograph function is activated, the robot’s eyes change colour: press start, the eyes turn yellow (recalling Shrike in the movie Mortal Engines). Stop: they turn red. And on reset they turn blue.
Czapek’s calibres are distinguished by a wealth of haute horlogerie hand-finishing on the components, creating a play of light that amplifies the beauty of the movement architecture. On the dial, the mirror-polished heads of the screws and column wheels and the hand-bevelled levers and bridges contrast with the matte sandblasted finish of the main plate. On the reverse side, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, an oscillating weight made of 5N recycled rose gold is complemented by matte bead-blasted bridges outlined by hand-polished chamfers and other finishes including circular satin-polished wheels and black-polished screws. The rotor winds a single barrel that provides the 4Hz movement with 60 hours of running autonomy. Complementing the sleek design of the 42.5 mm. case, the integrated bracelet echoes the movement finishing with its combination of brushed surfaces and highly polished C-shaped links.
A glance at the SHX6, Czapek’s proprietary calibre created in collaboration with Chronode, is a work of art from the mechanical and aesthetic standpoint. For one, the number and thickness of the main components had to be reduced to make sure the timepiece would keep its streamlined look and feel and fit well into the 42.5-millimeter case. “As with the classic chronograph, the split-second runs on energy tapped from the second wheel,” explains Xavier. “This time, we favoured a horizontal clutch rather than a vertical one to highlight the aesthetics of the transmission”.Furthermore, to ensure the streamlined look of the watch, the number of parts and their thickness was reduced to a minimum. Everything had to fit in the 42.5-millimeter case.
But there’s more, since January 2022, this bracelet also features a micro-adjustment system, allowing the wearer to extend its lenght by few milimeters in an instant. 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. A large choice of straps is now offered to provide a maximum versatility and playful experience. A range of rubber straps whose pattern recalls the "Stairway to Eternity" design on the Passage de Drake dial are available. A selection of soft calf straps with contrasting topstitches can be also order on demand.
In fine watchmaking, every little detail counts. Besides the exceptional SHX6 movement and the sleek and sharp design of the 42.5 mm. case, a great deal of attention was put on the bracelet. The feeling when placed on the wrist, the comfort in every situation and lightness are as important as the timepiece visual and technical qualities. The capability to be forgotten by its wearer and to suddenly reveal its stunning beauty create an intensely pleasurable dichotomy. This is why the Antarctique collection is equipped by an ergonomic brushed integrated bracelet, whose links mesh to form a highly polished "C" for Czapek.
