Prague, September 26th 2018 – The 19th Century master watchmaker Czapek & Cie is back to the Czech Republic, the country that gave birth to its founder. On this occasion, the brand reveals a special edition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Czech Republic. This exquisite collection has been unveiled with a unique event at Prague Castle, Lobkowicz Palace, in collaboration with Czapek’s local partner, Koscom.
Czapek & Cie, Swiss-based watchmaker of Czech origins, comes back to its roots and re-establishes its presence on the Czech market. The brand was founded in the XIX Century by Franciszek Czapek, a watchmaker born in Semonice (then the Kingdom of Bohemia), who moved to Poland first and then to Switzerland. In Geneva, Franciszek changed his name to Francois and devoted the rest of his life to the art of watchmaking.
In Switzerland, Czapek firstly associated with Moreau and then with Antoni Patek. After the three men parted ways, in 1845 he founded his own company, Czapek & Cie, with an atelier in Geneva and showrooms in Warsaw and Paris, becoming the official watchmaker of Emperor Napoleon III. He mysteriously vanished in 1869 and nothing is known of his death so far.
The Czapek name was revived in Switzerland on 12/12/2012 by three entrepreneurs, Harry Guhl – who is based in Prague – Xavier de Roquemaurel and Sebastien Follonier. The collection was officially launched on the market in November 2015.
Today, Czapek & Cie makes a new start in the Czech market in collaboration with its local partner Koscom. The brand will unveil limited edition watches named “Anniversary”, in homage to the company’s founder and to the history of his homeland. In fact, on Sunday, 28 October 2018, the Czech Republic will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the foundation of independent Czechoslovakia.
“Although Franciszek Czapek created his greatest masterpieces abroad, he often included historical references in many of his timepieces”, explains Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie. “The Anniversary model pays tribute to these long-lasting traditions”.
The dial of the special edition watch features, at 12 o’clock, the symbol coat of arms of the Kingdom of Bohemia as represented in the foundation of Czechoslovakia. The “Pravda vitezi” (Truth triumphs) inscription on the dial is the country’s motto as stated on the President’s emblem. These unique features combined with the refined elegance of Czapek aesthetic codes – the ‘Fleur-de-Lys’ hands, the elongated Roman numerals and the two off-centred subdials with the small seconds and power reserve indications – create a truly exquisite watch that merges Swiss precision with the Czech soul.
In addition to the Anniversary special edition, the regular collection – the “Quai des Bergues” watches for ladies and gentlemen, as well as the “Place Vendôme”, the tourbillon line and the new chronograph collection “Faubourg de Cracovie” – are all available on the Czech market as well.
“History and tradition are really important values for Czech people, so as the largest watch retailer in this country we decided to support Czapek’s project: a unique Swiss luxury watches manufacture whose history is deeply linked to the Czech Republic. We are sure that our customers will appreciate the Anniversary special edition of timepieces, which pays homage to our past and shows our heritage in interesting ways” says Karel Janeba, owner of Koscom.
The Anniversary limited edition includes only 8 timepieces, with 5N red gold or steel case and was made in Switzerland. The official launch of this model has been held with an exclusive event at the breathtaking Prague Castle, the Lobkowicz Palace, in the presence of 100 selected guests.
This amazing location was chosen thanks to Czapek’s close relationship with Prince William Lobkowicz from the House of Lobkowicz. American with Bohemian roots, Prince Lobkowicz grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, but moved to then Czechoslovakia in 1990 to claim his family’s vast ancestral belongings, the restoration, preservation and display of which have become his profession and passion. William Lobkowicz is an active supporter of the Czapek brand as well as wearer of the watch.
“Czapek is a wonderful story of a family brand, returning to former glory and significance as a great watchmaking icon with the highest quality and elegance. Our family, who returned after 50 years of Nazis and Communists, is also building on an 800 year Czech heritage, by opening our castles and priceless art collections for the public for the first time ever. We are very pleased to be hosting Czapek and highlighting the historical and master craftsmanship of Bohemia”, states William Lobkowicz.
Both Czapek and Lobkowicz are Czech stories of glorious pasts and regained, thanks to the creativity and the help of passionate entrepreneurs. Both are re-establishing a wonderful quality and a historical name and brand. While there is still much to do, one important step is done: bringing back Czapek to his ancestral roots.
Technical Details Czapek & Cie Quai des Bergues “Tribute to Czechia – 100th Anniversary”
“Tribute to Czechia – 100th Anniversary”Rose gold: 100% SWISS MADE
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 blued gold
CASE & BRACELET
• 5N Rose Gold case with Dino bone stone crown set
• 42.5 mm 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 5N Rose Gold buckle
DIAL
• “Grand feu” Enamel dial
• The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Bohemia as represented in the foundation of Czechoslovakia
• The “Pravda vitezi” (Truth triumphs) inscription as stated on the President’s emblem
• Elongated roman numerals, symbol of the Czapek elegance
LIMITED EDITION TO 3 PIECES
PRICE
• 800’000 CZK (21% VAT included)
“Tribute to Czechia – 100th Anniversary” Steel: 100% SWISS MADE
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 blued gold
CASE & BRACELET
• “XO” Steel case with Dino bone stone crown set
• 42.5 mm 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: 50 meters (5 atm)
• Alligator strap with steel buckle
DIAL
• “Grand feu” Enamel dial
• The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Bohemia as represented in the foundation of Czechoslovakia
• The “Pravda vitezi” (Truth triumphs) inscription as stated on the President’s emblem
• Elongated roman numerals, symbol of the Czapek elegance
LIMITED EDITION TO 5 PIECES
PRICE
• 400’000 CZK (21% VAT included)
About Czapek & Cie
François Czapek was a Czech-born Polish watchmaker who fled to Geneva in 1832 after fighting in the Polish uprising. He immediately started his own atelier and in 1839 entered into a partnership with Antoine Norbert de Patek, introducing him to the world of watchmaking. In 1845, at the end of their partnership, he created Czapek & Cie and achieved considerable success. He became the official watchmaker of Napoleon III and opened, what was most likely the first watchmaking boutique on the Place Vendôme in Paris. He wrote a book about watchmaking, but unfortunately, he died before publishing the second one.
Czapek & Cie has been revived in 2015 with an exceptional collection, whose leading model won the Public Prize in the Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie in Geneva in November 2016. This collection takes its inspiration from an 1850’s Czapek timepiece. It features a beautiful enamel dial and a 7-day proprietary movement perfectly combining craftsmanship with design and exclusivity with rarity. The Company second collection, a suspended Tourbillon with a second time-zone, was launched one year later in 2017, while the first Czapek chronograph Faubourg de Cracovie was unveiled at Baselworld 2018. The company is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
About Lobkowicz Palace
The Lobkowicz Palace at Prague Castle is one of the most significant cultural sites in the Czech Republic and the only privately owned building in the Prague Castle complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in the second half of the 16th century by the Czech nobleman Jaroslav Pernštejn (1528-1569). The Palace came into the Lobkowicz family through the marriage of Polyxena to Zdeněk Vojtěch, 1st Prince Lobkowicz (1568-1628). In the centuries following that marriage, the Palace witnessed some of Bohemia’s most significant historical events. In 1618, the famous Defenestration of Prague took place when Protestant rebels threw the Catholic Imperial Ministers from the windows of the Royal Palace at Prague Castle.
Today the Palace houses some of the greatest treasures from the Lobkowicz Collections. The Collections are among the oldest and largest art holdings in the Czech Republic, their significance lies in their comprehensive nature, which reflects the cultural, social, political and economic life of Central Europe over six centuries. In the exhibit visitor can see paintings by Bruegel, Canaletto, Cranach the Elder, Rubens, and Velazquez; decorative arts from the medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods; exceptional arms and armour; musical instruments and
annotated manuscripts were written in the hand of some of the greatest composers of the 17th – 19th centuries, including Beethoven and Mozart.
For more information visit: www.lobkowicz.com
About KOSCOM
Koscom stores is a fine watchmaking sanctuary offering the widest range of watches in Central Europe, with an area of more than 550 m2 and over 9000 models of ladies’ and men’s watches of renowned brands. From masculine and sporty collections, to classic and elegant models, to the icons of minimalism and purists: the experts’ selection will satisfy all the most demanding expectations.
Koscom is absolutely convinced of all its product range and does not accept any compromise on quality. That’s why in March 2015 the company managed to celebrate a quarter century of existence, always at the same address. Its aim is to be timeless and to offer the maximum to its customers, that can be willingly advised by its trained staff. Without any hurry, the customers can talk about their wishes over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, ask, try… Koscom believes that the basis of its success is the customer’ satisfaction.
For more information, please visit: www.hodinky-koscom.cz