Editor’s note: Like you, we are also excited for the Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties. Before we get to dive deep into them, here’s our preview & Gut Reaction Review (Grr…) of the new Czapek Antarctique S. For our detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here. This is NOT a sponsored post.
The New Czapek Antarctique S In A Nutshell
My first reaction to the new Czapek Antarctique S was of relief. Following the launch of its 40.5mm diameter older brother in 2020, the brand which has seen a rather meteoric rise in the recent past is back with an example showcasing why we have come to fall in love with it. Small wrists are a thing. Brands may not have liked to acknowledge that in the last decade or so, and/or the demand may have been otherwise, but finally there is hope for us with slim wrists.
My second reaction was to appreciate the plethora of details that make the new Czapek Antarctique S such a desirable offering:
- 38.5mm diameter with a thickness of only 10.6mm that will not only slide easily under the cuffs but the material of steel makes it financially viable and more relevant to the demands of the present day and age
- An integrated stainless steel bracelet with Czapek exclusive “Easy Release” system and micro adjustment and the presence of a screw-down crown offering a valuable 120m water-resistance (unlike some other legendary and not so legendary “sports watch” offerings in the market)
- Courtesy the partnership with dial specialist Metalem, there are a variety of dial colours and executions to choose from including a stamped blue “flinqué” dial with the officially registered “Stairway to Eternity” pattern (Passage de Drake Glacier Blue S version), the same “flinqué” dial but in Salmon (Passage de Drake Salmon S edition), and the crystallised Osmium dialled Frozen Star S LE. I appreciate the variety here and also the inclusion of the rarest precious metal on Earth Osmium dial, but for the other two, I would have preferred either guilloched or at least CNC-machined dials. Don’t get me wrong, I love these, but for 19’500 CHF, this ventures into Breguet territory and I personally would like something more to the dial than just ‘stamping’
- Then there is of course the finishings — that do set the new Czapek Antarctique S apart — featuring open ratchets, sandblasted black bridges, bevelling, straight-grained sides, state-of-the-art laser engravings and six hand-chamfered inward angles. There is also the inclusion of the in-trend micro-rotor (made here from recycled 950 platinum)
- There is a growing trend of collectors preferring brands that use their own movements, and the new Czapek Antarctique S features an in house self-winding mechanical movement
Basic Specifications
Inside all the new Czapek Antarctique S ticks the Calibre SXH5 which is an automatic-winding mechanical movement measuring 30mm x 4.2mm. It was launched in the original Antarctique and its architecture is inspired by the 19th century pocket watches of François Czapek. It comprises 193 components and 28 jewels, beats at the frequency of 4Hz, features a Swiss lever escapement and variable-inertia balance fitted with four gold inertia-blocks, and provides a decent 56-hour power reserve on one single barrel.
Retailing for 19’500 CHF (or 76’000 CHF) the non-limited (or limited to 38-pieces) new Czapek Antarctique S is announced as part of the Watches & Wonders 2022 March 30 to April 5 (both online and at the Salon).
The new Czapek Antarctique S is for those who would like to add to their collection a fine, distinct and handsome sports watch that also ticks a lot of boxes for modern collectors.
Quotable
“Our greatest challenge was that the original Antarctique had turned out to be so right. For Antarctique S it wasn’t a question of just reducing the case; we had to do something as excellent as the original”.
Xavier de Roquemarel – CEO of Czapek
To find out more about the new Czapek Antarctique S and their other watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are courtesy are © 2019 Czapek & Cie SA. Make sure to check out our reviews of other Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties here.
