First Look Czapek Unveils Three New Versions of the Antarctique Collection

Founded on the legacy of 19th-century watchmaker François Czapek, Czapek & Cie has re-emerged in recent years as a leading name in high-end independent watchmaking, blending classical craftsmanship with bold contemporary expression. Among its most celebrated collections is the Antarctique line, a modern sport-chic series first introduced in 2020 that marked a pivotal shift for the brand, showcasing its technical autonomy with the in-house SXH5 movement and a distinctive aesthetic language. In 2024, Czapek expanded this vision with the launch of the Antarctique Mount Erebus series, a tribute to raw natural forces and rare materials, named after the active Antarctic volcano known for emitting traces of gold through its plume. This sub-collection introduced precious-metal executions and unique dial materials, bringing a more opulent and artistic dimension to the Antarctique family.

Today, Czapek unveils three new iterations of Mount Erebus: the Antarctique Mount Erebus Lapis Lazuli; the Antarctique Mount Erebus Falcon Eye; and the Antarctique Mount Erebus Green Meteor. Each model features an exceptionally rare dial crafted from a unique natural source, combining geological history with fine horology. These new timepieces stand out not only for the richness of their materials but for the philosophical approach behind them — where imperfection, fragility, and singularity are embraced as central elements of beauty.

All three timepieces in the Antarctique Mount Erebus collection share the same refined case architecture that defines the Antarctique line, a sport-chic profile crafted with the precision of haute horlogerie. Measuring 40.5mm in diameter and 10.6mm in height, the case offers a balanced and wearable silhouette. Each model is rendered in precious metal either 5N rose gold for the Lapis Lazuli and Falcon Eye editions, or 2N yellow gold for the Green Meteor selected to complement the tone and texture of the dial material. The case is fitted with a sapphire crystal treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides, ensuring clarity and durability, while a screwed-down crown guarantees water resistance up to 120 meters. Whether in warm rose gold or luminous yellow gold, the case serves not just as a protective shell, but as a framing element that enhances the rare material within, reinforcing Czapek’s vision of mechanical elegance fused with natural artistry.

The dial of the Antarctique Mount Erebus Lapis Lazuli is a poetic expression of Earth’s natural grandeur. Carved from carefully selected lapis lazuli, its surface reveals a deep electric blue, subtly animated by golden pyrite sparkles and delicate white calcite veins. This composition is not merely aesthetic—it is geological storytelling, where each inclusion and nuance reflects millions of years of mineral formation. Working with such a fragile and complex stone demands absolute precision: cutting and polishing must preserve the visual integrity without compromising the structure.

Continuing this dialogue between natural artistry and horological craftsmanship, the Falcon Eye edition offers a more kinetic and layered visual experience. Its dial is crafted from South African falcon eye quartz, a microcrystalline stone formed through the gradual replacement of crocidolite fibers with quartz. The result is a mesmerizing fibrous texture that reflects shades of anthracite grey, blue, and gold in constant flux. Czapek embraces the inherent irregularity of this material, selecting dials that proudly display orange-brown striations and mineral inclusions, turning what others might consider flaws into defining aesthetic signatures. Fragile and unpredictable, the stone allows only one flawless dial from every five cuts, making each finished piece a true rarity.

Bringing the story full circle, the Green Meteor edition looks beyond the Earth itself. Its dial is hewn from Gibeon meteorite, a celestial material that spent millions of years traversing the cosmos before landing in present-day Namibia. The surface reveals a natural Widmanstätten pattern etched by acid and magnified through a layer of translucent green lacquer creating a unique interplay of texture and depth. In contrast to the cooler tones of the previous steel-cased edition, the 2N yellow gold case used here enriches the green hue and draws out warmer, golden undertones in the meteorite itself. No two dials are alike; each captures a moment frozen in space.

Across all three models, the purity of the dials is intentionally preserved by a minimalist approach to functionality. Each dial is free from complications, allowing the eye to fully appreciate the texture, color, and individuality of the material. Time is indicated by finely executed hour indices and hands crafted in either 5N rose gold or 2N yellow gold to match the case each element filled with Super-LumiNova for legibility. The absence of distractions elevates the experience, turning the dial itself into the central focus and transforming the simple act of reading the time into a moment of visual discovery.

The watches are powered by the SXH5, Czapek’s first fully in-house automatic movement. At its core lies a platinum micro-rotor, chosen for its compact size and high mass. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and offering a power reserve of approximately 60 hours.

Each timepiece in the Mount Erebus trilogy is paired with a fully integrated gold bracelet—rose gold for the Lapis Lazuli and Falcon Eye, and yellow gold for the Green Meteor. A rubber strap with a matching gold folding clasp is also available.

Reflecting the rarity of the materials, production is highly limited, only 10 pieces per year for the Lapis Lazuli and Falcon Eye, and just 8 pieces total for the Green Meteor. Prices range from CHF 39,000 which is equivalent to AED 179,000 approximately to CHF 66,000 which is equivalent to AED 303,000 approximately, depending on the configuration.

For more information, you can visit Czapek’s official website.