Czapek Qual Des Bergues Platinum
Czapek Qual Des Bergues Platinum
Description:
FUNCTIONS
Hours, Minutes & Seconds
Small second at 7h30
Power reserve indication with weekdays at 4h30
MOVEMENT
Calibre SXH1: Haute Horlogerie proprietary mechanical hand-wound movement
Power-reserve > 168 hours (7 days) on 2 barrel-springs
Frequency: 3 Hz – 21,600 VpH
Diameter: 32 mm – 14 lines ¼
Height: 4.75 mm
Finish: double open ratchets, sandblasted bridges, blue screws, bevelling, final anglage main
HANDS
“Fleur de lys” hands in “BlackGold”, a 1N White Gold with black Rodhium plating
CASE & BRACELET
Platinum 950 case
42.5 mm of external diameter
36.40 mm open diameter
Curved Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on the inside surface
Sapphire crystal case back with anti-reflective treatment on the inside surface
Water-resistance: 30 meters (3 atm)
Alligator strap with 1N White Gold buckle
DIAL
« Grand feu » Enamel dial with a secret signature “Czapek”
Elongated roman numerals, symbol of the Czapek elegance
QUAI DES BERGUES
The first collection of timekeepers to herald the renaissance of Czapek & Cie is called ‘Quai des Bergues’. It is a tribute to the location where François Czapek founded the company in Geneva in 1845. At the time, this Promenade along the Rhone river was the epicenter of the Geneva ‘art de vivre’, like the Place Vendôme in Paris, where François Czapek opened what was probably the first watchmaker’s boutique on this legendary square.
The ‘Quai des Bergues’ collection features 2 distinct cases in 4 different materials:
A classic case recalling the generous round shape of pocket watches, in white or rose gold.
A modern and innovative ‘Revolution’ case with a sandblasted and polished finish, in titanium or in a mysterious ‘XO’ steel.
MOVEMENT
The SXH1 caliber is a proprietary movement designed by Czapek. It is the first in a family of movements developed specifically for Czapek watches, according to the strictest rules of the watchmaking art. It was conceived in cooperation with Jean-François Mojon, a designer watchmaker who heads the Le Locle based company Chronode.
This haute horlogerie mechanical calibre boasts 31 jewels. It is finely decorated and remains aesthetically and functionally true to the 1850 original. The architecture remains symmetrical, and the sandblasted finish is a modern interpretation of the ‘satiné frost’ technique used in the 19th Century – a process of gold plating using mercury evaporation.
This manually-wound movement has two barrel springs and runs at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour, which translates to 3 Hertz. It features a power reserve of seven days. The manual beveling finish and the sandblasted bridges create a beautiful and modern look, inspired from the past. The most striking elements remain the open ratchets, with teeth polished in ‘bevel’ and unique to Czapek SXH1. They become its mechanical signature.
ENAMEL DIAL
The Czapek “Grand Feu” enamel dial is one of the most difficult technique of the art of watches decorating which offers as well the highest durability. The master artisan of our Manufacturing Partner Donze Cadrans in Le Locle, does not paint the motif directly on the watch but applies more oxides on the dial in gold. Then, the enameler moves the dial into fire (800-900° C) several times to allow motif and colors appear gradually. The “Grand Feu” enamel sets unalterable and refined decoration… including a secret signature in the case of Czapek.