FAUBOURG DE CRACOVIE TAO LIMITED EDITION OF 18

Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Tao

The Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Tao brings a fresh artistic expression to contemporary chronography. Crafted in a 41.5 mm steel case, this limited edition of eighteen pieces introduces an unprecedented interpretation of the classic panda dial through the Maison’s mastery of Grand Feu enamel. The white enamel surface, created by Donzé Cadrans, serves as a luminous stage for two deep black subdials at 9 and 3 o’clock. Slightly recessed, they evoke the eyes of a panda and give the watch its charismatic identity. At 6 o’clock, the subsidiary seconds and date harmonise within a white register that subtly completes the panda expression. A red Roman numeral twelve provides a striking focal point and a symbolic beginning to the dial’s visual rhythm.

The Tao sits within a refined iteration of Czapek’s Quai des Bergues Revolution case. The steel silhouette remains elegant and athletic, with the Maison’s signature crown protectors ingeniously reimagined as chronograph pushers. It is a design that balances romance and refinement with a modern, energetic spirit. As CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel describes it, the Tao brings the noble character of Czapek’s earliest creations into a chronograph format that feels unmistakably contemporary.

The Grand Feu enamel dial is both technically demanding and visually captivating. Its soft curvature, achieved through a bombé enamel technique, adds depth and sophistication. Enlarged black subdials sit precisely within the enamel surface, offering balance and clarity to the chronograph display. Delicately skeletonised hands complete the composition, while Czapek’s discreet signature is once again hidden within the enamel, a quiet tribute to the Maison’s heritage.

The Movement

Powering the Faubourg de Cracovie Tao is the SXH3 calibre, Czapek’s first automatic chronograph movement. Developed in collaboration with leading Swiss specialists, the SXH3 delivers a robust 65-hour power reserve from a single barrel and is certified by COSC for proven chronometric performance. The movement incorporates a vertical clutch for a smooth and precise start to the chronograph seconds, along with a linear hammer system designed to reduce wear and ensure crisp, simultaneous resetting of all counters. Through the exhibition case back, diamond blasted anthracite bridges reveal a contemporary architectural finish that reflects the spirit of the watch.

The Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Tao stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation, uniting rare artisanal techniques with advanced mechanical engineering in a truly distinctive limited edition.