Czapek’s latest split-seconds chronograph honours Karel Čapek, the Czech novelist whose play R.U.R., first performed in Prague in 1921, introduced the word “robot” to the wider world.
Czapek today introduces the Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R., limited to 77 pieces. A titanium robot head sits at 12 o’clock, on top of the chronograph column wheel. Its eyes change colour with each press: yellow to start, red to stop, blue to reset.
MD’Art cut, hand-polished and laser-engraved the head, and painted each eye by hand. Calibre SXH6, created with Jean-François Mojon of Chronode, puts the split-seconds mechanism on the dial side. A hidden isolator, the brand says, sharply reduces chronometric disturbances, and the steel case measures 42.5mm across.
“When we launched the Antarctique Rattrapante in 2021, one of our shareholders immediately suggested incorporating a robot into the movement,” says Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie.
The robot’s eyes do the one thing a still dial cannot: show the chronograph thinking, one colour at a time.
The Basics
Brand: Czapek
Model: Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R.
Diameter: 42.5mm (lug to lug: 46.6mm)
Thickness: 15.3mm with glass-box; 10.5mm perceived height
Case material: Stainless steel; sapphire glass-box and sapphire case back, anti-reflective; screwed-down crown
Dial: Open-worked split-seconds chronograph on the dial side; grey fumé sapphire minutes ring and counters (PVD); titanium robot head at 12:00 by MD’Art
Water resistance: 12 atm
Bracelet: Integrated stainless steel, “Easy Release” system, micro-adjustment; rubber strap included
Limited edition: 77 pieces
The Movement
Calibre: SXH6, automatic, with Chronode; split-seconds monopusher module with isolator
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds; split-seconds monopusher chronograph; chronograph state shown by the robot head
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 60 hours
Frequency: 4Hz (28,800 vph)
Jewels: 49
Images courtesy of Czapek.