ANTARCTIQUE
PASSAGE DE DRAKE S
Czapek introduces the Antarctique Passage de Drake S – an elegant new case size for slimmer wrists. Two years after the successful launch of the Antarctique line, sporting chic enters fresh territory with a 38.5mm case and an array of new dials.
presentation
Like many developments at Czapek, much of the impetus to create an Antarctique in 38.5mm. came from the desires of Czapek’s “rare people” – the collectors, shareholders and partners who form a close-knit community around the brand. It was only natural that the successful launch of the original 40.5mm Antarctique in May 2020 would be followed by a smaller case size – one that would be more adaptable and elegant; more comfortable on slimmer wrists.
“Our greatest challenge was that the original Antarctique had turned out to be so right. For Antarctique S it wasn’t a question of just reducing the case; we had to do something as excellent as the original,” says Xavier de Roquemarel, CEO of Czapek.
To create a case 3mm smaller than the original design was not just a simple matter of shrinking; starting from scratch, the case had to be totally re-engineered and the codes rewritten to ensure that all of the proportions work perfectly – not least the ratio of overall thickness to the new diameter. The 38.5mm case is defined by the same taut lines that characterise the original Antarctique but now the sides are flat, rather than cut away, and the shoulders protecting the crown have been subtly pared back – simplifications that achieve better visual balance in the smaller dimensions. And Czapek’s attention to detail went beyond just the visual: the weight of the watch on the wrist had to feel appropriate to its reduced size.
design
It took a full year of work for Czapek’s design team, in close collaboration with its key partners, AB Concept and Metalem, to finalise the design. “We followed the same methodology as always, making as many iterations and refinements as we needed to,” explains de Roquemarel. “We never stop until we are completely happy.”
The result is fresh, sporty and chic. Like its big brother, Antarctique S has a strong character but there’s nothing extravagant or showy about it. The creativity is all in the detail – and on the dials, where atypical colours and intriguing textures provide the backdrop for strongly sculptured indexes.
The Antarctique S will initially be offered with a choice of two dials, all created in partnership with the dial specialist Metalem.
Czapek’s signature ‘Stairway to Eternity’ pattern is presented in Glacier Blue and Salmon, the three-dimensional stamped surface of the trapezoidal motif creating a play of light and shadows across the dial. The former appears to alternate between pale blue and silver with the movement of the wrist, and latter from a soft peachy tone to a richer, almost honeyed shade of salmon.
The result is fresh, sporty and chic. Like its big brother, Antarctique S has a strong character but there’s nothing extravagant or showy about it. The creativity is all in the detail – and on the dials, where atypical colours and intriguing textures provide the backdrop for strongly sculptured indexes.
The Antarctique S will initially be offered with a choice of two dials, all created in partnership with the dial specialist Metalem.
Czapek’s signature ‘Stairway to Eternity’ pattern is presented in Glacier Blue and Salmon, the three-dimensional stamped surface of the trapezoidal motif creating a play of light and shadows across the dial. The former appears to alternate between pale blue and silver with the movement of the wrist, and latter from a soft peachy tone to a richer, almost honeyed shade of salmon.
movement
The SXH5.01 automatic caliber is the first to be entirely conceived in-house by Czapek from a blank page. Every part of it has been made with care to detail and with the help of the top Swiss manufacturing partners and craftsmen, la crème de la crème, the magnificent orchestra directed by Czapek in the We Collect Rare People spirit. The microrotor, is placed off-center to allow a plunging view into the mechanism and its exceptional architecture. A free-sprung balance wheel with variable inertia provided by four gold adjustable weights enables the highest level of precision tuning. The gear train is held in place by a series of seven handsome skeletonized bridges. Their original shape is reminiscent of lace, inspired on one side by XIX century pocket watches, and by the very modern Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph’s rotor. The movement has superlative finishing on the bridges that merges Haute Horlogerie angling techniques with state-ot-the-art laser engravings.
Since the unveiling of its base movement in May 2020, Czapek & Cie has been continually making improvements to its automatic caliber SXH5 to enhance its precision, performance, and aesthetic. The most recent upgrades raised the train efficiency to 90% to fully wind the single barrel and deliver the impressive 60 hours of power reserve. This is a significantly longer autonomy than the average of high-end sports watches.
Since the unveiling of its base movement in May 2020, Czapek & Cie has been continually making improvements to its automatic caliber SXH5 to enhance its precision, performance, and aesthetic. The most recent upgrades raised the train efficiency to 90% to fully wind the single barrel and deliver the impressive 60 hours of power reserve. This is a significantly longer autonomy than the average of high-end sports watches.
STRAPS
In fine watchmaking, every little detail counts. Besides the exceptional SHX5 movement and the sleek and sharp design of the case or the dial, 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. Yet, with less space between the lugs at the attachment point, the long, subtly curving line that tapers from the widest point of the case to the narrowest point of the bracelet had to be carefully studied and adjusted to achieve perfect harmony. Like its predecessor, the bracelet of the Antarctique Passage de Drake S – with its brushed steel links connected by highly polished links in the form of a stylised “C” for Czapek – it features a quick-change system that enables owners to quickly and easily switch to the additional rubber or leather strap that comes with the watch. Since January 2022, this bracelet also features a micro-adjustment system, allowing the wearer to extend its lenght by few milimeters in an instant. The option to order a fully brushed metal bracelet is now available.
But there’s more. 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. Rubber straps whose pattern recalls the "Stairway to Eternity" design on the Passage de Drake dial are available as much as a selection of calf leather strap.
But there’s more. 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. Rubber straps whose pattern recalls the "Stairway to Eternity" design on the Passage de Drake dial are available as much as a selection of calf leather strap.
COLLECTION
Antarctique
PASSAGE DE DRAKE S
Technical Details
Swiss made
Functions
- Hours, Minutes & Seconds
- Date at 6 o'clock
Movement
- Calibre SXH5: Czapek's in house self-winding mechanical movement
- Diameter: 30 mm – 13 lines ¼
- Height: 4.2 mm
- Number of parts: 193
- Jewels: 28
- Swiss lever escapement, variable-inertia balance fitted with four gold inertia-blocks
- Frequency: 4 Hz – 28800 VpH
- Power winding system: Micro rotor with an 100% recycled platinum mass
- Power-reserve > 60 hours on one single barrel
- Barrel torque: 8.8 Nmm
- Finish: Open ratchets, sandblasted black bridges, bevelling, straight-grained sides, six hand-chamfered inward angles
Hands
- Luminescent, steel "Sword" hands
Case
- Stainless steel case
- 38.5 mm diameter
- Height: 10.6 mm
- Sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment ARDur©
- Sapphire crystal case-back with anti-reflective treatment
- Water-resistance: 120 meters (12 atm)
- Screwed-down crown
Bracelet
- Integrated stainless steel bracelet with Czapek exclusive "Easy Release" system and micro-adjustment device
- Additional rubber strap
Dial
- Stamped “flinqué” dial with the exclusive, officially registered “Stairway to Eternity” pattern
- Luminescent, rhodium plated steel hour makers
Our Partners
- Conception: Daniel Martinez, Adrian Buchmann, Emmanuel Bouchet, Patrick Rossi & Xavier de Roquemaurel
- Components and movement manufacturing: AB Product, Arcofil, Atokalpa, Ceramaret, Chronode, CMT-Rickenbach, Comblemine, Crelier, Generale Ressort, Inca, Inodeco, Inhotec, MLV, MPS, Novasort, Precipro, Risa, Stocco and as well a few standard components.
- Habillage: AB Product, Capsa, Econorm, Gravages, HMS Waeber, Jean Rousseau, Metalem
TERMS & CONDITIONS AND PRICES
PRICE OF THE ANTARCTIQUE S PASSAGE DE DRAKE IS 22’000.- CHF EXCL. TAX
TO CONFIRM YOUR ORDER A 7’000.- CHF DEPOSIT IS KINDLY REQUESTED.
ONLY 34 PIECES WILL BE PROPOSED ONLINE.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PLACING AN ORDER ONLINE, PLEASE CHECK BELOW, VISIT OUR FAQ PAGE AND READ CAREFULLY OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS
DEPOSIT AND ORDER CONFIRMATION
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.
It can take up to 72 hours (3 days) to process an order and for the customer to receive its order confirmation. However, you will receive a Stripe payment confirmation within 24 hours.
If you have questions regarding orders please contact us by email only at [email protected]. It might take up to 72 hours to get an answer. We will answer questions based on the request urgency level.
PRICE
The relevant prices are our international prices in CHF and do not include any taxes.
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.
LIMITATION
If the model is sold out, you can send us an email to [email protected] to be placed on a cancellation list. In case of cancellation, we will contact customers on a FIFO basis.
DELIVERIES
First deliveries will start in 2025. Within 7 months of the Order Confirmation Date and at least 6 months before your manufacturing date we will inform you about the tentative manufacturing date that we have allocated to your order.
Your manufacturing date is the date we proceed to the final encasing of your watch. It will be stated in your timepiece passport (the ID card for a watch, to prove its authenticity, record services and repairs but serves also as a warranty card). Once this operation is completed, your watch will be tested for a couple of weeks. Therefore, you can expect a delivery 3 to 4 weeks after your manufacturing date.
CANCELLATION
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 no longer be refundable according to the following scale:
After 14 days, your deposit minus 10% and inherent banking fees is refunded.
6 months before your manufacturing date: 50% of your deposit minus inherent banking fees is refunded.
3 months before your manufacturing date: your deposit is forfeited.
To cancel your order, you must contact us at [email protected].
If you have any questions regarding this subscription or the models available, don’t hesitate to contact us or one of our agents using the form below. Simply choose your country or area and send your message. They will come back to you quickly to assist you.