QUAI DES BERGUES
No.17 Double Soleil
Czapek introduces its seminal Quai des Bergues model in a 40.5mm steel case, with a newly developed hand-guilloché pattern on the dial.
Quai des Bergues in a new 40.5mm case
One size never truly fits all – and with this in mind, Czapek presents its Quai des Bergues model in a new, 40.5mm case. The steel case retains all of the stylistic signatures of the Quai des Bergues case – with a slight refinement of the case-side recesses in order to incorporate the movement (Calibre SXH1) – and a subtle change to the slope of the lugs to ensure a perfect fit on the wrist.
“The two existing sizes of the Quai des Bergues have always been well received,” says Czapek CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel. “But, among our community of enthusiasts, we’ve had many comments and discussions about creating a perfect ‘Goldilocks’ size in between – one that is adaptable and elegant, looks both dressy and sporty and has a great presence on wrists of all sizes. The design of the case is very organic and fluid – and for that, I pay tribute to the biomechanical style of the artist H.R.Giger (designer of Alien) whose work has always fascinated me.”
“The two existing sizes of the Quai des Bergues have always been well received,” says Czapek CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel. “But, among our community of enthusiasts, we’ve had many comments and discussions about creating a perfect ‘Goldilocks’ size in between – one that is adaptable and elegant, looks both dressy and sporty and has a great presence on wrists of all sizes. The design of the case is very organic and fluid – and for that, I pay tribute to the biomechanical style of the artist H.R.Giger (designer of Alien) whose work has always fascinated me.”
A Double Sun rises over the Quai Des Bergues
To complement the new case size, Czapek, together with its dial-making partner Metalem, has developed an entirely new guilloché pattern. They have named it Guilloché ‘Double Soleil’, after the parhelion phenomenon, an optical illusion that appears under certain atmospheric conditions as a luminous spot on one or both sides of the sun. Also known colloquially as ‘sun dogs’, parhelia occur when the sun shines through thin cirrus clouds composed of hexagonal ice crystals, which refract the rays, rather like the effect of a prism. This spectacular and rare phenomenon most often occurs in winter, when the sun is low in the sky.
The starting point for the new pattern was a discussion about the Maison’s proprietary Ricochet Guilloché. Through a process of iteration, with greater emphasis on vertical symmetry and straighter, deeper cuts, the new Double Soleil pattern achieves a bolder and more contemporary look. And it plays an intriguing visual trick: are the lines radiating outwards like sunrays from behind the sub-dials or are they being drawn inwards? The dial is offered in a choice of Deep Blue or Tuxedo Black.
The starting point for the new pattern was a discussion about the Maison’s proprietary Ricochet Guilloché. Through a process of iteration, with greater emphasis on vertical symmetry and straighter, deeper cuts, the new Double Soleil pattern achieves a bolder and more contemporary look. And it plays an intriguing visual trick: are the lines radiating outwards like sunrays from behind the sub-dials or are they being drawn inwards? The dial is offered in a choice of Deep Blue or Tuxedo Black.
SXH1 movement
In addition to the new guillochage, the SXH1 movement (manually wound, with a 7-day power reserve) has been given a careful make-over last year. The most visible change on the SXH1 is the extensive openwork, which clearly delineates a full-fledged three-quarter plate and exposes the gear train. The bridge plate and balance bridge have also been hollowed out and seem to face each other like two shooting stars about to cross paths. This gives the movement a more dynamic look.
The reworked calibre differs from its predecessor in other ways, too. The original balance had a classic rack and index for regulation, for example. The new SXH1, on the other hand, has an annular balance wheel with weights for variable inertia and a Breguet terminal curve balance spring. The balance cock has also been finely skeletonised and streamlined to give the whole balance greater transparency.
The finishing has also been developed further. All the edges of this outstanding movement have been softened by deeper chamfering. And on the advice of one of the best independent watchmakers and friend, the regular jewels were replaced with “mi-glace” rubies. These have a rounded relief that improves lubrication on the point of contact with the axes. They also give the movement a more fluid look and can, occasionally, catch incoming rays of light.
The reworked calibre differs from its predecessor in other ways, too. The original balance had a classic rack and index for regulation, for example. The new SXH1, on the other hand, has an annular balance wheel with weights for variable inertia and a Breguet terminal curve balance spring. The balance cock has also been finely skeletonised and streamlined to give the whole balance greater transparency.
The finishing has also been developed further. All the edges of this outstanding movement have been softened by deeper chamfering. And on the advice of one of the best independent watchmakers and friend, the regular jewels were replaced with “mi-glace” rubies. These have a rounded relief that improves lubrication on the point of contact with the axes. They also give the movement a more fluid look and can, occasionally, catch incoming rays of light.
COLLECTION
QUAI DES BERGUES
Technical Details
Swiss made
Functions
- Hours & minutes
- Small second at 7h30
- Power reserve indication with weekdays at 4h30
Case
- Stainless steel case
- 40.5mm diameter
- Lug to lug (north to south): 47.67mm
- Thickness: 11.9mm (9.5mm perceived)
- Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on the inside surface
- Sapphire crystal case back with anti-reflective treatment on the inside surface
- Water-resistance: 50 meters (5 atm)
Movement
- Calibre SXH1: Haute Horlogerie proprietary mechanical hand-wound movement
- Power-reserve > 168 hours (7 days) on two barrel-springs
- Variable inertia balance wheel
- Frequency: 3 Hz – 21,600 VpH
- Diameter: 32 mm – 14 lines 1⁄4
- Height: 4.75 mm
- Number of components: 160
- Number of jewels: 31
Finish
- Bridges open on gear train
- Double open ratchets, sandblasted bridges and main plate
- Heat-blued screws, bevelling, final hand-chamfering, circular graining and snailing on wheels
Dial & hands
- Deep Blue or Tuxedo Black
- Unique and Exclusive Czapek guilloché ‘Double Soleil’ design inspired by the 1930’s Art Déco era
- Czapek elongated indexes
- Rhodium plated arrow steel hands
Strap
- Alligator strap with stainless steel pin buckle
TERMS & CONDITIONS AND PRICES
PRICE OF THE QUAI DES BERGUES No. 17 DOUBLE SOLEIL IS 18’800.- CHF EXCL. TAXES
TO CONFIRM YOUR ORDER A 6’000.- CHF DEPOSIT IS KINDLY REQUESTED.
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To order your watch, a deposit representing approximately 30% of the final price is required to confirm your interest. As soon as your deposit is executed, we will send you an advance payment receipt and an order confirmation. It is your responsibility to review the order confirmation. If you have any questions or concerns or if an order confirmation does not reflect your intentions, you should contact us at [email protected] without delay.
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PRICE
The relevant prices are our international prices in CHF and do not include any tax. In case your purchase is delivered in another country than Switzerland, you might be requested by your country’s customs authorities to pay local VAT or/and other taxes before delivery can occur.
This is usually collected by our carrier during the importation process but also by your country authorities.
For US customers, an additional 3% is added to the total amount to cover the cost for US importation duties, directly paid by Czapek. Shipping and insurance are included in the price.
DELIVERIES
First deliveries will start in H2 2024 and will then be scheduled on a First Ordered First Served basis.
CANCELLATION
We perfectly understand that life is full of surprises that sometimes force us to modify our choices and priorities. Should you change your mind and cancel your order within 14 days, we will refund the full amount.
If you decide to cancel your order later, part of your deposit will be partially refundable or forfeited. Please read our complete terms and conditions for more details
To cancel your order, you must contact us at [email protected].
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