Czapek

Since its introduction in 2020, the Czapek Antarctique series has emerged as a formidable contender in the vast market of sports watches with integrated bracelets. The collection debuted with the Antarctique Terre Adelie in May 2020, and quickly gained great acclaim with its introduction of the new and revised sub-line, The Passage de Drake, in 2021. Named after the notorious Drake Passage, this line of watches pays homage to the challenging stretch of water between South America’s Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. Boasting a “Glacier Blue” dial, the present watch fittingly evokes the icy Antarctic landscapes that served as its muse. 

Encased in the same 40.5mm stainless steel case as its predecessor, the watch incorporates an original double 'trompe l'oeil' curve, setting this timepiece apart from others. On the dial, the date window is positioned at 6 o’clock, preserving Czapek's aesthetics based on vertical symmetry, while the sword-like design of the hands and its three-dimensional indexes allow for easy readability and a sporty appearance. Perhaps the most striking feature is the unique trapezoid dial motif, dubbed as the “Stairway to Eternity” by Czapek, whose three-dimensional stamped surface creates a captivating play of shadows across the dial. 

A historic milestone for Czapek, the Passage de Drake is powered by the SXH5.01 automatic caliber, the first movement to be entirely conceived in-house by the company. The off-center micro rotor offers a view into the intricate architecture of the mechanism, while the free-sprung balance wheel with adjustable gold weights ensures precision. Seven skeletonized bridges, inspired equally by 19th-century pocket watches as Czapek's modern chronograph rotor, secure the great train. The Passage de Drake seamlessly combines sports-chic design with exceptional craftsmanship, solidifying its position as a unique and outstanding addition to the Czapek collection.