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 Rattrapante Ice Blue. For our detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here. This is NOT a sponsored post.
The New Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue In A Nutshell
The new Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue features an open-worked split-second chronograph that’s laid bare under a sapphire crystal and enchanted with subtle touches of blue. This is the brand’s third split-second iteration since last year, and they seem to be getting more alluring every time.
The rattrapante is considered to be one of the most sophisticated complications in the world of watchmaking. In a nutshell, this complication is designed to measure two elapsed times simultaneously by the use of two superimposed central chronograph hands.
The new Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue offers its own take, and presents collectors and connoisseurs with a distinct horological gem that combines a high-end split-second chronograph with a sports watch vibe allowing many to include a stunning watch in their collection that is not from your run-of-the-mill brands.
Basic Specifications
The new Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue features a 42.5mm diameter and 15.3mm thick — perceived height sans crystal bezel to case-back is only 10.5mm — stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal glass-box on top and 120m water-resistance. The sport aesthetics are achieved via the integrated stainless-steel bracelet with Czapek exclusive “Easy Release” system.
The dial features a slim bezel that frames the work of art open-worked split-second chronograph dial that comprises a blue fumé sapphire glass minutes ring and counters made with PVD evaporation, two “Czapek” sub-dials at 4 and 7 showcasing a 30-minute totaliser and small seconds the central tripod bridge that holds down the patented satellite minute train and the split seconds-mechanism along with central Sword hours and minutes hands with SuperLuminova treatment, and a full red but customisable split-second hand.
Complex, busy, but purely mesmerising.
The magic continues on the flip side, courtesy the haute horlogerie automatic Calibre SXH6 powering it. This 34mm diameter movement is fitted with a split-second monopusher chronograph module and contains 49 jewels and 292 components. The Calibre SXH6 beats at the frequency of 4Hz, provides a power reserve of 60 hours, features a variable inertia balance wheel and two column wheels and a recycled 5N rose gold rotor with Czapek logo. The chronograph is operated by pressing the pusher at 2 that activates the start-stop-reset functions and the wizardry of the split-seconds cane be harnessed by pressing the 10’o clock pusher.
Given the new Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue bares all, it’s nice to see that it is also nicely finished, including finely shot-blasted bridges with hand-polished chamfers, linear satin-finished chronograph levers with hand-polished chamfers, circular satin-finished wheels, and black-polished screws, studs and column wheels.
Retailing for 50’000 CHF, the limited to 99-pieces new Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue is announced as part of the Watches & Wonders 2022 March 30 to April 5 (both online and at the Salon).
Quotable
“We are continuing to explore the many possibilities offered by this very attractive and popular new family of watches… Adding the blue is like a signature for the whole collection: Antarctica, blue sky, blue sea, blue ice”.
Xavier de Roquemaurel – CEO of Czapek
To find out more about the new Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue 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.