ANTARCTIQUE PASSAGE DE DRAKE S 'Glacier Blue'

Like many developments at Czapek, much of the impetus to create an Antarctique in 38.5mm. came from the desires of Czapek’s “rare people” – the collectors, shareholders and partners who form a close-knit community around the brand. It was only natural that the successful launch of the original 40.5mm Antarctique in May 2020 would be followed by a smaller case size – one that would be more adaptable and elegant; more comfortable on slimmer wrists.

“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,” says Xavier de Roquemarel, CEO of Czapek.

To create a case 3mm smaller than the original design was not just a simple matter of shrinking; starting from scratch, the case had to be totally re-engineered and the codes rewritten to ensure that all of the proportions work perfectly – not least the ratio of overall thickness to the new diameter. The 38.5mm case is defined by the same taut lines that characterise the original Antarctique but now the sides are flat, rather than cut away, and the shoulders protecting the crown have been subtly pared back – simplifications that achieve better visual balance in the smaller dimensions. And Czapek’s attention to detail went beyond just the visual: the weight of the watch on the wrist had to feel appropriate to its reduced size.

FUNCTIONS

* Hours, Minutes & Seconds
* Date at 6 o'clock

MOVEMENT

* Calibre SXH5: Czapek's in house self-winding mechanical movement
* Diameter: 30 mm – 13 lines ¼
* Height: 4.2 mm
* Number of parts: 193
* Jewels: 28
* Swiss lever escapement, variable-inertia balance fitted with four gold inertia-blocks
* Frequency: 4 Hz – 28800 VpH
* Power winding system: Micro rotor with an 100% recycled platinum mass
* Power-reserve > 60 hours on one single barrel
* Barrel torque: 8.8 Nmm
* Finish: Open ratchets, sandblasted black bridges, bevelling, straight-grained sides, six hand-chamfered inward angles

HANDS

* Luminescent, steel "Sword" hands

CASE

* Stainless steel case
* 38.5 mm diameter
* Height: 10.6 mm
* Sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment ARDur©
* Sapphire crystal case-back with anti-reflective treatment
* Water-resistance: 120 meters (12 atm)
* Screwed-down crown

BRACELET

* Integrated stainless steel bracelet with Czapek exclusive "Easy Release" system and micro-adjustment device
* Additional rubber strap

DIAL

* Stamped “flinqué” dial with the exclusive, officially registered “Stairway to Eternity” pattern
* Luminescent, rhodium plated steel hour makers