Nothing gets to the heart of the matter quite like a new bespoke, purpose-built skeletonised movement set dial-side
Czapek & Cie pays tribute to its die-hard fanbase once more, citing them as the main source of inspiration for the Antarctique Révélation. This passion project picks up where 2021’s Antarctique Rattrapante, which featured the first split-seconds chronograph on the dial, left off.
With numerous requests to see more of the SXH5 movement, Czapek & Cie takes the idea of the Antarctique Révélation further by placing the movement right on the dial itself. “People were in love with the remarkable design of our SXH5 movement, and we therefore asked ourselves how we could somehow make it visible on the dial,” says CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel.
The SXH5 has found favour with brand devotees for its stark design, in particular the fine bridges angling over to grip the gearwheels, a reference to the Czapek pocket watch movements of the 19th century.
“One of the first requests had been to engrave a drawing of the movement onto the dial, as a ‘trompe l’oeil,’” says de Roquemaurel. “But soon a far more complex idea emerged, namely turning part of the movement upside down in the case and skeletonising the main plate.”
As a result, the new SXH7 calibre presented several hurdles for the production team to overcome. For starters, the escapement had to be completely reversed. Then the oscillating mass had to be engraved on both sides, for example, while the crown mechanism, now visible to the naked eye, had to be reworked entirely.
Furthermore, the seconds hand could no longer be connected by a bridge to the centre, so space was made at 4:30 for a small seconds dial. And since the main goal is as much transparency as possible, the ring for the seconds is made of sapphire crystal, as is the larger one indicating the hours and the minutes to which it is attached.
Elements from other Czapek models also feature, such as the central tripod from the Antarctique Rattrapante that holds together the finely cut-out bridges. Similarly, the position of the small seconds recalls the famous day-date subdial of the Quai des Bergues.
Fittingly, with this much going on, Czapek & Cie has announced that the Antarctique Révélation will have a limited production of 100 pieces per year. Deliveries are slated to start in January 2025.
