In its first 9 years, the fashionable Czapek & Cie launched 4 collections, as many as some bigger watch homes dare so as to add at any given time. Now in 2024, the model launches a fifth assortment, the Promenade. With two distinct dial types – guilloché and grand feu enamel – the Promenade will get off to a powerful begin, encapsulating the Czapek’s SXH5 motion and intentional design in collaboration with specialised suppliers.
For a model averaging a brand new assortment each two years, what might seem to be speedy development is in actual fact a managed course of, one thing Czapek takes significantly. Leaning into the “établissage” custom whereby companies concentrate on disparate facets of manufacturing (dial making, case making, hand manufacturing, and many others.), Czapek originates the design and finalizes the manufacturing, counting on its companions for assist in between. Thus involves life the model’s tagline, “We acquire uncommon folks”. Visualized as ripples emanating outward then rebounding again to the middle, it’s straightforward to surprise if such a philosophically-driven model didn’t have the établissage course of in thoughts when creating the Promenade assortment, significantly the Goutte d’Eau variant.
Working with dialmaker Donzé Cadrans, the Goutte d’Eau (in English, “drops of water”) is essentially the most fascinating member of the preliminary Promenade lineup due to its grand feu enamel dial that visualizes ripples continuing from the small-seconds hand on the 4:30 place. Stare at a photograph of it lengthy sufficient, and also you’d swear it was transferring. Devoid of any markings (together with branding), the Goutte d’Eau is a kind of watches that eschews practicality in service of its most important goal: being wearable artwork. Launched alongside the Goutte d’Eau are two guilloché Promenades, the Soleil Bleu and the Soleil Ivoire. Made by long-time Czapek associate, Metalem, the Soleil dials (true to their identify) recall to mind sunrays issuing once more from the small-seconds. This time, the small hand will get its personal subdial full with 60 second markers to match the white rehaut whose personal indications make time-telling extra exact. Skeletonized hour and minute palms on all variants of the Promenade maximize dial visibility.
Given it is a gown watch, the Promenade’s metal case is appropriately small with a 38mm diameter and thickness of 10.8mm. A glassbox sapphire crystal slopes downward the place, considered from the facet, the attention catches Czapek’s recessed and sand-blasted case flank – one thing considerably rugged for a watch this fancy. Helpfully, Czapek advertises a lug-to-lug distance of 42mm due to stubby but not unattractive lugs designed to suit specially-curved straps. The caseback is affixed with 4 screws and presents a large view of the motion inside, Czapek’s SXH5 motion.
Developed in-house for its Antarctique assortment, the SXH5 caliber makes use of a micro-rotor and an unmistakable structure. It’s a blast to watch, given the way in which the seven bridges maintain their elements in place. The recycled platinum used within the SXH5’s rotor provides weight and makes us surprise… the place does one supply recycled platinum? Who for that matter is recycling their extra platinum? In any case, the premium materials lends itself properly to the Promenade, guaranteeing a specifically designed piece appears to be like and feels much more particular.
Like different Czapek releases of the previous decade, the Promenade is an train in artwork. Removed from obfuscating the genius of companions whose names aren’t on the dial, the model continues its admirable follow of acknowledging the surface expertise that brings its watches to life. Within the Promenade, Czapek highlights the “joyful aesthetics” of watchmaking and reminds us that generally watches ought to merely be stunning.
The Czapek Promenade Guilloché Soleil Bleu Nuit and Soleil Ivoire are priced at $19,900 USD whereas the Goutte d’Eau mannequin is priced at $20,600 USD. The model produces all its watches on demand solely, so deliveries are anticipated within the second quarter of 2025. For extra data, please go to the model’s web site.
