Czapek & Cie has introduced a new Antarctique model. This new three-hand timepiece maintains the company’s commitment to top-tier manufacturing and finishing by taking a serene, geometrical approach to time display.
Every watch is subject to two fundamental laws. The first is mechanics, which means that everything must work like clockwork. The second, and far more subjective, factor is aesthetics: a watch must be visually appealing, provocative, and seductive. The Antarctique Titanium ‘Dark Sector,’ Czapek’s most recent release, strikes a perfectly symbiotic balance between these two poles. It’s powered by the tried-and-true SXH5, and the dial was designed for easy reading and viewing.
The careful use of space is key to this Antarctique’s appeal. A traditional minute track has been placed inconspicuously around the edge of a smooth anthracite dial. It is surrounded by a double row of lightly arched parallel segments that are broken up by numerals. The sword hour hand points to the gaps as if a ship attempting to enter a harbor, while the minute and second hands sweep the dial at their own pace, closing the gaps for a brief moment. This results in a kind of animation, as well as a slight change in the visual geometry.
“The concept is simple, but execution requires great precision,” CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel says. “The hands crossing from segment to segment over the dusky backdrop of the dial looks almost like a shoreline seen from far above. The dial was designed so that the marker fills the space between each sector (an almost philosophical way of defining matter). The name ‘Dark Sector’ was inspired by the Dark Sector Laboratory and telescopes at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station. The skies over Antarctica are the clearest and darkest in the world…”.
The Antarctique Titanium ‘Dark Sector’ evolved naturally from the collection’s elegant brushed titanium case and bracelet with the sensually rounded crown protector. The model’s overall monochrome scheme was inspired by these grey shades, which highlight the two touches of color on the dial, namely the red dot at twelve o’clock and the tip of the second hand.
The watch is powered by Czapek’s robust automatic calibre SXH5, the first entirely designed in-house. It is powered by a recycled platinum microrotor and can run for up to sixty hours. An exhibition case reveals the fine architecture, which includes seven bridges reminiscent of 19th-century pocket watch movements. With a movement height of 4.5 millimetres, this new model is as sporty and elegant as the rest of the Antarctique family.
The Antarctique Titanium ‘Dark Sector’ will be available in a limited annual production of 100 pieces through Czapek’s authorized dealers worldwide, its flagship store in Geneva, and Czapek.com.
