Czapek Unveil The Art Of Splitting Time

Czapek & Cie’s latest model in its Antarctique family of timekeepers is a split-second chronograph that takes this modern and sportive line deeper into grande complication territory. The Antarctique Rattrapante is the first split-second chronograph whose fascinating mechanism is visible from the dial side.

Since its launch in 2015, Czapek & Cie has relentlessly sought to maintain a delicate balance between high-end mechanics and refined aesthetics. The brand new Antarctique Rattrapante, a split-second mono-pusher chronograph with a unique, dial-side mechanism, embodies these ideals.

“The Antarctique line was released in 2020 as the epitome of sporty elegance. It was calling for a complication that would amaze our aficionados.”
Xavier de Roquemaurel, Founder, Czapek & Cie

The roots of the project trace back to the founding of the company, in 2012, when a limited-edition chronograph run on a small series of the vintage Valjoux 7733 calibre was created as part of the re-registration of the brand name Czapek. A few pieces to friends as a way to raise funds for the project. One buyer noted the ‘hypnotic beauty’ of the cams as they pivoted which sparked the idea of making a Czapek chronograph with the mechanism exposed on the dial side.

A split-second chronograph is, in fact, a quite complex mechanism, a grande complication, the pinnacle of mechanical creativity. The most noticeable element is the clamp, which will instantly immobilise one of the chrono wheels when the split second pusher is activated. Meanwhile, the other chronograph hand must continue its time-counting undisturbed. When the clamp is released, the immobilised hand will catch up (“rattraper” in French) to its companion.

The SHX6, Czapek’s proprietary calibre created in collaboration with Chronode, is a work of art from the mechanical and aesthetic standpoint. For one, the number and thickness of the main components had to be reduced to make sure the timepiece would keep its streamlined look and feel and fit well into the 42.5 millimetre case.

The focus of the movement is the tripod bridge in the centre that holds down a patented satellite minute train and the patent-pending split-second mechanism just below. The two column wheels, one at the top (for the chronograph) and the bottom (for the split-second mechanism) divide the movement into two halves. The minute totaliser at four o’clock and the small seconds at seven o’clock serve as visual anchors to this high-flying, modern and dynamic timepiece, and maintain the link to the company’s guiding spirit, the great nineteenth-century watchmaker, François Czapek, who was using vertical symmetry as an aesthetic guide.

The Antarctique Rattrapante comes with Czapek’s bespoke stainless-steel bracelet, whose links are shaped as a stylized letter C. It will be a limited edition of 77 pieces.

Technical Specifications:

Antarctique Rattrapante

Silver Grey

Stainless steel case, open-worked split-second chronograph on the dial side. Limited to 77 pieces

FUNCTIONS

– Split-second monopusher chronograph, hours, minutes & seconds

– Chronograph’s minutes at 4:30

– Small seconds at 7:30

– Split-second pusher at 10:30

MOVEMENT

– Calibre SXH6: haute horlogerie automatic power-horse movement with a split-second monopusher chronograph module

– Power reserve: 60 hours