Czapek gives its best-selling Antarctique Passage de Drake a new dial detail: applied Hindu-Arabic numerals at 12, 3 and 9 o'clock.
Czapek today introduces the Antarctique Passage de Drake “Sahara Night”, in deep blue, and “Sahara Sands”, in salmon, each limited to 25 pieces, shown first at the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, in a year marking 10 years since the brand's revival.
The dial keeps Czapek's registered “Stairway to Eternity” pattern, its stamped trapezoid surface catching shadow as the light moves. Hindu-Arabic numerals mark 12, 3 and 9 o'clock, and repeat on the date disc at 6; steel “Sword” hands point the time. The case is 40.5mm steel, on an integrated bracelet with Czapek's “Easy Release” system, for swapping to an optional rubber strap.
Inside is the in-house calibre SXH5, wound by a micro-rotor in recycled platinum, its variable-inertia balance set with four gold blocks, for more than 56 hours of power reserve.
It is a quiet update to a familiar watch: the same case and bracelet, read now in numerals that feel closer to home.
The Basics
Brand: Czapek
Model: Antarctique Passage de Drake “Sahara Night” (deep blue); “Sahara Sands” (salmon)
Diameter: 40.5mm
Thickness: 10.6mm
Case material: Steel; sapphire crystal glass-box and sapphire case back, both anti-reflective; screwed-down crown
Dial: Stamped “flinqué” dial with the registered “Stairway to Eternity” pattern; deep blue (Sahara Night) or salmon (Sahara Sands), by PVD treatment; Hindu-Arabic numerals at 12, 3 and 9; steel “Sword” hands
Water resistance: 120m
Strap: Integrated steel bracelet with Easy Release system and micro-adjustment; optional rubber strap
Limited edition: 25 pieces per colour
The Movement
Calibre: SXH5, in-house, self-winding
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Winding: Automatic, micro-rotor in recycled platinum
Power reserve: More than 56 hours, on a single barrel
Frequency: 4Hz (28,800 vph)
Jewels: 28
Images courtesy of Czapek.