Czapek & Cie Faubourg de Cracovie Océan d’Or

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Geneva, February 2021 – Czapek & Cie unveils a new version of its Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph for the first time in 18-carat gold. The Océan d’Or in 5N rose gold will be limited to 8 pieces, while the 2N yellow gold version will be a “mirror piece” edition of two timepieces only. Both editions feature Czapek signature blue handcrafted guilloché “Résonance” dial.

Named after the location of François Czapek’s third boutique in Warsaw, Poland, the Faubourg de Cracovie is Czapek’s refined and muscular integrated chronograph until now only available in steel and titanium. The Czapek SXH3 Caliber, driving the collection, is a COSC-certified, 5-Hertz bespoke automatic movement delivering 65 hours of power reserve from a single barrel. It makes use of some of the most advanced and effective mechanical elements, like a column-wheel, a one-piece linear reset hammer, and a vertical clutch. It is finely finished, with diamond-blasted anthracite bridges visible through the transparent case back.

Today the Geneva-based maison is for the first time proposing its sporty model with a shining 41.5mm 18-carat gold case and chronograph counters, combined with a fascinating blue handcrafted guilloche dial with the “Résonance” pattern. This registered and unique design, where intersecting circular lines form a pattern of bas-relief squares, goes back to François Czapek himself and was developed by Czapek together with its Swiss partner for engine-turned dials Metalem. The profound blue hue is manufactured using a special ALD coating developed by another Czapek partner, Positive Coating, based in La-Chaux-de-Fonds.

Named “Océan d’Or” – “golden ocean” in French – the new model comes in a limited edition of 8 pieces for the 5N rose gold version and only two pieces for the 2N yellow gold edition. The latter was conceived as a precious complementary pair, a “mirror piece”, as was the case in China for the most special timekeepers. In fact, at the end of the Qing dynasty, there was a high demand of Swiss-made luxurious timepieces for the imperial court and the wealthiest clientele. For very special events or customers, two timepieces were made, each watch being a perfect reflection and complement for the other – a “mirror piece”.

“This approach reflects very much the essence of traditional Chinese aesthetics based on a well-known philosophical conception: the principle of Yin and Yang, stating that in all things exists two opposite sides yet inseparable – as well as Czapek’s sense of beauty created integrating contrasting elements or combining symmetry with asymmetry, as in the human body”, says Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie. “Moreover, in the Chinese culture there is a true love for symmetry, reflecting the notion of an established order. Surprisingly, Czapek himself seemed to share this love, whether in the architecture of his movements or in his engine-turning patterns. Our Résonance guilloché, where the two sub-dials seem to respond to each other infinitely, is also based on this idea of symmetry. At the same time, it reflects our collaborative spirit when it comes to creativity, as the idea of the Océan d’Or was originated by a bespoke order by one of our customers. We guided him in designing his Faubourg de Cracovie in gold, and he was then glad to see the project go further and become a limited edition available to another – or a few others – like-minded collectors”.

The Océan d’Or limited edition is available at the brand’s official retailers, at the store in Rue de la Corraterie 18, Geneva, Switzerland, and on czapek.com.

Czapek & Cie Faubourg de Cracovie Océan d’Or Technical Specifications and Price

Czapek & Cie Faubourg de Cracovie Océan d’Or 2N

2N yellow gold case, handcrafted guilloché dial
Gold hands, certified Chronometer (COSC).
Limited edition of 2 pieces

Functions

Chronograph, hours, minutes & seconds
Chronograph’s minutes at 3 o’clock
Chronograph’s hours at 9 o’clock
Small seconds at 6 o’clock
Date at 6 o’clock

Movement

Calibre SXH3: haute horlogerie integrated automatic chronograph movement with a bespoke execution
Power reserve: 65 hours
Frequency: 5 Hz – 36’000 VpH
Column wheel, vertical clutch and linear hammer
Golden rotor with Czapek logo
Diameter: 30mm – 13 lines 1/4
Height: 6.95mm
Certified chronometer (COSC)

Finish

Finely sandblasted and diamond polished anthracite bridges, snailed trottoirs

Case

41.5mm 18-carats 2N yellow gold case
Sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment
Sapphire case back with anti-reflective treatment on the inner side.
Water resistance: 20m

Dial

Handcrafted guilloché “Résonance” bombé dial Baton applied indexes with Super Luminova treatment
12 in Arabic numerals with Super Luminova treatment
Gold arrow hands and subdials

Strap & Buckle

Alligator strap with a gold deploying buckle

International retail price (no tax)

46’000 CHF or 43’000 EUR or 52’000 USD (US taxes included)

Czapek & Cie Faubourg de Cracovie Océan d’Or 5N

5N rose gold case, handcrafted guilloché dial
Gold hands, certified Chronometer (COSC).
Limited edition of 8 pieces