Introducing the Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Purple Panda and Blue California

Background of the Brand

Since its successful revival in 2011, independent watchmaker Czapek & Cie. has since aspired to revamp traditional haute horlogerie by adding a modern flair to their timepieces. The brand was first established in Geneva in 1845 by Franciszek Czapek, a Polish immigrant, who set up the company along with fellow immigrant Antoni Patek, but was disbanded after six years. The latter famously founded Patek Philippe with French watchmaker Adrien Philippe. It later eventually went out of production but was revived in 2012 by Xavier de Roquemaurel, an avid watch enthusiast and luxury marketing consultant and presently serves as its CEO.

From its more renowned classical designs seen on their complications namely the Quai des Bergues and Place Vendôme series, it later developed in introducing a more sportier timepiece through its Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph collection. Its model name is derived from the location of the third Czapek boutique, opened in 1850 in Warsaw, Poland. As part of its 2022 novelties at the Watches and Wonders show, Czapek introduces two limited editions, the Purple Panda and the California Blue to its collection following the wave of color that has permeated recently throughout the watch industry.

The New Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Purple Panda features a resonancé dial set that is colored with a dark purple guilloché pattern that is complemented with the use of white on the minute and hour counters.

What is the Deal?

The two limited editions were borne out of several bespoke requests made by leading collectors of the brand. What makes these novelties standout, is their differing usage of the dial. For the Purple Panda, it features a résonance dial configuration that is set with a stellar dark purple colored guilloché pattern that is complemented with the usage of white on the minute and hour counters of the chronograph and matched with a fine leather strap. In contrast, the California Blue featured a deep and textured blue grené California dial with its balanced use of both Roman and Arabic numerals and a tachymeter scale that is encased in a rubber strap. This is based on a previous model called the California Dreamin that provided the necessary capital to help revive the brand and thus the first watch model produced in the modern era.

The New Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie California Blue comes with a Californian-style dial with a textured blue grené finish.

The new novelties are fitted with the caliber SXH3 is an automatic integrated column-wheel chronograph movement that was developed by Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, a known movement specialist.

Both timepieces are powered by the caliber SXH3, an automatic integrated column-wheel chronograph movement that was developed by movement specialist Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. According to its press statement, Roquemaurel describes the caliber SXH3 as “one of the most reliable and precise Haute Horology chronographs ever built. It is a masterpiece in terms of conception, displaying the regularity of a perfect machine…” These limited editions feature a high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour or 5 hertz (Hz) that makes it superior in its accuracy. Limited to only 18 pieces per model, these will come with an official certification from the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC), the main timekeeping agency that inspect the precision of Swiss timepieces.

What Do We Think?

We can see that Czapek is pushing itself in the right direction in creating timepieces that are beyond the usual fanfare of sport timepieces. As a step above the other independents, the brand maintains its identity by harkening back into its long-storied history, while catering to the interests of modern watch enthusiasts. Take for example, the California Blue with its fine application of grené lacquer on the dial, that has been handmade in order to create that distinctive texture after several hours of trial and error. Thus, making every numbered model its very own unique piece and one that can definitely stand out in any collection.

Specifications

Our coverage of the various Watches and Wonders continues into the week of 30 March-5 April 2022. To keep yourself informed of the latest releases at the event on our website.

Find out more at the Vintage Grail website. For more information, contact us at [email protected] or contact us at (+63) 917 159 1211.