ANTARCTIQUE 40.5MMM GREEN METEORITE LIMITED EDITION OF 8

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. 

Completing the line is the Antarctique Mount Erebus Green Meteor in yellow gold, adorned with a lacquered green Gibeon meteorite dial– a continuation of the highly sought-after steel edition unveiled last year. 

“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 Green Meteor dial is the only new dial not crafted from stone, but from Gibeon meteorite sourced in Namibia. Its crystalline Widmanstätten patterns, revealed by acid etching and then covered with a translucent green lacquer, create a dial of otherworldly texture and depth. First presented in a steel case, the model drew significant attention and many collector requests; Czapek now responds with a yellow gold version, which magnifies the richness of the material. While the meteorite dial tone in the steel version had a green-blueish hue, the Mount Erebus Green Meteor dial is warmer, perfectly matching the radiant beauty of the 2N yellow gold.

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-ot-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 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.