PLACE VENDÔME OMBRES TOURBILLON GMT LIMITED TO 25 PIECES
The tourbillon ranks as one of the most distinguished complications in ‘haute horlogerie’. That does not mean that it is strictly reserved for those impassioned by mechanical marvels. The model called ‘ombres’, or ‘shadows’, comes in a grade 5 titanium. It is not only lighter on the wrist, but has a rugged, faintly greyish tint that creates an elemental feeling. The case stretchers have been carefully machined and sandblasted. The watch face, delicately framed by a thinner bezel, is anchored at the lower end by the suspended tourbillon at 8 o'clock and the second time zone at 4 o'clock.
Between the two is the day/night indicator in the second time zone. At 12 o'clock, the time giving dial stares from a dark dial, justifying the name of the model.
The Place Vendôme “Lumières” is driven by the proprietary, manually wound SXH2 movement beating at 21,600 vph (3 Hz). The single barrel spring delivers a solid 60 hours of power. The 34.8-millimeter diameter is relatively large, but the height of 9.8 millimeters allows the watch to be discreet and elegant in spite of the many functions. The traditional satin-brushed bridges and openworked ratchet are back again. In the back of the watch is an inscription: Tourbillon suspendu – Ici et Ailleurs, a reference to the second time zone, a gift to global travelers that Czapek himself never knew.
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Where Design Meets Mechanical Mastery
The WATCHMAKING APPROACH
At Czapek & Cie, watchmaking is driven by a constant dialogue between aesthetic intention and mechanical excellence. Each timepiece begins with a clear design vision, where dial architecture, movement layout, and finishing are conceived in harmony to achieve both visual balance and technical performance. Rather than treating the movement as a hidden engine, Czapek develops its calibres as expressive structures. Combining symmetry, asymmetry, and transparency to create depth, light interaction, and architectural clarity.
This approach extends across every stage of development, from in-house calibre engineering to artisanal decoration. Special attention is given to finishing techniques and dial craftsmanship, where textures, guilloché-inspired patterns, and refined surfaces are designed to interact dynamically with light. The result is a signature language of modern haute horlogerie: watches that unite precision mechanics with sculptural design, conceived as both technical instruments and objects of aesthetic expression.
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CZAPEK GENEVE
Modern Haute Horlogerie, Reimagined
Precision engineering and expressive design come together to create timepieces defined by architectural balance, refined craftsmanship, and contemporary elegance.