ANTARCTIQUE 40.5MMM MOUNT EREBUS LAPIS LAZUL LIMITED PRODUCTION 10 PER YEAR

Named after Mount Erebus, Antarctica’s active volcano known to release microscopic gold particles in its volcanic plume, the line pays homage to a natural phenomenon that inspired Czapek to dedicate the Antarctique Mount Erebus to precious-gold executions. Just as volcanic forces shape the Earth’s hidden treasures, these timepieces celebrate rare materials transformed into works of art. 

The first of the new creations is the Antarctique Mount Erebus Lapis Lazuli in rose gold, featuring a dial carved from lapis lazuli. 

“When I visited our partner Gemmes-Tech and first saw these stones in their raw form, I was fascinated by their colours”, recalls Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie. “The deep lapis lazuli with its golden sparkles, the shimmering reflections of the falcon eye, and the extraterrestrial geometry of meteorite are nature’s own works of art. It is humbling to transform them into watch dials and see the beauty of the contrast between the gold hue and the colours of the stones. Working with such fragile materials is demanding, but it is this fragility and unpredictability that make each piece unique, dynamic, and alive.”

Czapek’s philosophy, encapsulated in the motto “We Collect Rare People”, also guides its approach to rare materials. Each stone dial carries its own singularity, making every watch unique. 

The lapis lazuli chosen for the Antarctique Mount Erebus is carefully selected for its deep electric blue, punctuated with discreet golden sparkles of pyrite. This opaque mineral belongs to the silicate family and is mainly composed of lazurite (which gives the intense blue), pyrite (responsible for golden specks), and calcite (which appears as white veins). 

Working with lapis lazuli is a delicate process. The stone requires a rigorous selection, as its quality and rarity depend on the intensity of the blue and the minimal presence of pyrite or calcite. Cutting and polishing are complex: while its machinability is of medium difficulty, shaping it without fracture is a true challenge. The result, however, is a dial that harmonises magnificently with the warmth of rose gold, creating a timeless, elegant contrast.

The SXH5.01 automatic calibre 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-centre 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 skeletonised 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-of-the-art laser engravings.

In fine watchmaking, every little detail counts. Besides the exceptional SXH5 movement and the sleek and sharp design of the case and 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 crucial as the timepiece's visual and technical qualities. The capability to be forgotten by its wearer and to suddenly reveal its stunning beauty creates an intensely pleasurable dichotomy. This is why the Antarctique collection is equipped by an ergonomic brushed integrated bracelet, whose links mesh to form a highly polished "C" for Czapek.