Czapek & Cie. Antarctique ‘Mount Erebus’ Deep Blue

In response to demand from enthusiasts and collectors, Czapek & Cie presents its best-selling Antarctique timepiece in a gold case for the first time. To complement the precious metal case, Czapek has also revived the legendary lamé dial of the original Antarctique Terre Adélie limited edition, launched in 2020.

Czapek & Cie's vision of haute horlogerie – as well as that of François Czapek, whose eponymous 19th-century watchmaking house inspired the modern company – rests on two pillars: the pursuit of Beauty, and the spirit of sharing. With this foundation, the Geneva-based Maison is constantly open and listening not only to its fans and watch enthusiasts, but also to evolving directions in the wider world of art, fashion and society.

The demand for an Antarctique model in a precious metal, and more specifically in gold, was so strong among a certain type of collectors that we could not ignore it,” says Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie. “To create this new model, we went to explore not only the origins of this successful collection but also the geography of Antarctica.”

Located on Ross Island in the frozen continent, the Mountain from which the new Antarctique ‘Mount Erebus’ takes its name is the southernmost active volcano on Earth and one of the very few constantly active volcanoes in the world. It was named after one of expedition ships that discovered Ross Island in 1841, captained by Sir James Clark Ross, HMS Erebus – which, in turn was named after a deity in Greek mythology born of Chaos and personifying darkness. A remarkable feature of this volcano is the presence in its lava of gold, which is projected into the atmosphere at an estimated rate of 80 grams per day, dissolved in the escaping volcanic gases and therefore impossible to harvest.

The origins of Czapek’s Antarctique line are present in ‘Mount Erebus’ thanks to the lamé dial, a finish originally created for the first iteration of Antarctique, launched in May 2020 – the limitededition Terre Adélie. Created in
collaboration with Metalem, Czapek's long-time manufacturing partner, it is crafted using a special kind of comb that creates an effect like a highly textured satin finish. Complementing the rose gold ‘Mount Erebus’ case, the dial offered in Deep Blue is made with a CVD (chemical vapour deposit) technique.

With a 40.5 mm in diameter and 10.6 mm height, the gold case shares all of the design codes that make the Antarctique steel case so distinctive: the flowing curves, finely honed angles and carefully judged balance of brushed and polished surfaces that bring the composition to life. The 5N rose gold case and the 2N yellow gold one are respectively complemented by a rose gold or a yellow gold bracelet. Alternatively, both models are proposed with a rubber strap in various colors.

The Antarctique Mount Erebus Deep Blue in 5N rose gold will be produced in a limited run of 100 pieces and available for pre-order at Czapek’s authorised dealers worldwide, its flagship store in Geneva and at Czapek.com. The 2N yellow gold version, limited to 50 pieces only, will be offered online at Czapek.com. Deliveries will start in the second quarter of 2024.

Technical specifications

Czapek & Cie. Antarctique ‘Mount Erebus’ Deep Blue 5N rose gold

Limited edition of 100 pieces

Case

• Material: 5N rose gold
• Diameter: 40.5 mm
• Height: 10.6 mm
• Sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment
• Sapphire case back with anti-reflective treatment on the inner side
• Screwed-down crown
• Water-resistant to 120 meters

Dial and hands

• Blue dial with lamé finish made for Czapek by Metalem 
• Luminiscent "sword" hands and indexes

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
• Number of jewels: 28
• Swiss lever escapement, variable-inertia balance fitted with four gold inertia-blocks
• Frequency: 4 Hz – 28'800 vph
• Power winding system: Micro-rotor with a recycled platinum mass
• Power-reserve: 60 hours on one single barrel
• Barrel torque: 8.8 Nmm

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes, seconds
• Date at 6 o'clock

Strap and buckle

• Rose gold integrated bracelet with screw-through links and updated case integration
• Optional rubber strap with matching rose gold deploying clasp

MSRP

• CHF 52'300 (with gold bracelet) / CHF 31'000 (with rubber strap)
• EUR 55'000 (with gold bracelet) / EUR 32'600 (with rubber strap)
• USD 59'000 (with gold bracelet) / EUR 35'000 (with rubber strap)

Technical specifications

Czapek & Cie. Antarctique ‘Mount Erebus’ Deep Blue 2N yellow gold

Limited edition of 50 pieces

Case

• Material: 2N yellow gold
• Diameter: 40.5 mm
• Height: 10.6 mm
• Sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment
• Sapphire case back with anti-reflective treatment on the inner side
• Screwed-down crown
• Water-resistant to 120 meters

Dial and hands

• Blue dial with lamé finish made for Czapek by Metalem 
• Luminiscent "sword" hands and indexes

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
• Number of jewels: 28
• Swiss lever escapement, variable-inertia balance fitted with four gold inertia-blocks
• Frequency: 4 Hz – 28'800 vph
• Power winding system: Micro-rotor with a recycled platinum mass
• Power-reserve: 60 hours on one single barrel
• Barrel torque: 8.8 Nmm

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes, seconds
• Date at 6 o'clock

Strap and buckle

• Yellow gold integrated bracelet with screw-through links and updated case integration
• Optional rubber strap with matching yellow gold deploying clasp

MSRP

• CHF 54'000 (with gold bracelet) / CHF 32'200 (with rubber strap)
• EUR 56'700 (with gold bracelet) / EUR 33'800 (with rubber strap)
• USD 61'000 (with gold bracelet) / EUR 36'400 (with rubber strap)

For more information, please visit czapek.com