These latest executions of the Czapek Antarctique – the Mount Erebus Rare Stones Collection represent something quite profound in contemporary watchmaking: timepieces that genuinely transcend the boundary between geological wonder and horological mastery: Lapis Lazuli, Falcon Eye and Green Meteor Named after Antarctica’s most active volcano, which famously spews microscopic gold particles into its volcanic plume, this trilogy celebrates nature’s own alchemy whilst showcasing Czapek‘s increasingly confident technical prowess.
Sky and Earth Differences
The three dial presentations here demonstrate remarkable philosophical consistency whilst showcasing dramatically different characters. The Lapis Lazuli variant presents perhaps the most arresting visual narrative: carved from carefully selected stones with deep electric blue colouration punctuated by discrete golden sparkles of pyrite. This particular mineral selection requires extraordinary precision during fabrication; the stone’s machinability presents medium difficulty, yet shaping it without fracture demands genuine expertise from Czapek‘s partners at Gemmes-Tech.
The Falcon Eye dial exhibits the most technical challenge of the three. Sourced from South Africa, this microcrystalline quartz has undergone a fascinating geological transformation where crocidolite fibres become replaced by quartz over time, preserving the fibrous structure whilst altering composition. The result creates mesmerising interplay between bluish, anthracite-grey, and golden hues. Czapek deliberately selected stones featuring orangish stripes and inclusions, a conscious choice embracing imperfection as beauty. The manufacturing reality here proves particularly demanding: from five attempted dial blanks, typically only one emerges without fracture.
The Green Meteor dial presents the collection’s most otherworldly aesthetic. Crafted from Gibeon meteorite sourced in Namibia, the dial showcases crystalline Widmanstätten patterns revealed through acid etching before receiving translucent green lacquer. While I was intrigued by the choice of lacquer and not other type of coating (like PVD), after seeing the pieces all together I understood the choice – the finish of the lacquer gives colour but add depth and a layer of shine, making it more in line with the look and finish of the precious stones. This represents the yellow gold version of the previously released steel model (Czapek Antarctique Green Meteor), where the meteorite’s natural patterns create warmer tones that harmonise beautifully with the 2N yellow gold case.
Luminescent applications utilise traditional “sword” hand configuration with matching indexes, ensuring legibility whilst maintaining aesthetic coherence. Hand finishing appears exemplary, with crisp edges and consistent surface treatments throughout.
Czapek’s Proud and Joy
At the heart of all three timepieces beats the SXH5 calibre, Czapek‘s first entirely in-house automatic movement and perhaps their most significant technical achievement. This 30mm diameter, 4.2mm height movement represents proper contemporary watchmaking philosophy, featuring 193 components across 28 jewels.
The movement architecture centres around the openworked bridges displaying distinctive lace-like patterns inspired by 19th-century pocket watches whilst incorporating elements from Czapek’s Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph. These bridges undergo sophisticated finishing treatments: openworked ratchets receive sandblasting, bevelling, and blackening, whilst bridges feature satin finishes with drawn flanks and hand-bevelled concave angles.
The escapement employs Swiss lever configuration with a variable-inertia balance wheel rated at 8 mg/cm². Regulation occurs through four small cylindrical gold inertia-blocks, a solution providing exceptional precision adjustment capabilities. Operating frequency measures 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), delivering contemporary chronometric performance.
Power delivery utilises a micro-rotor system featuring 100% recycled platinum mass. This configuration achieves remarkable efficiency: 90% train efficiency enabling the single barrel to deliver 60 hours power reserve with 8.8 Nmm barrel torque. The micro-rotor positioning off-centre provides unobstructed movement viewing whilst maintaining optimal winding characteristics.
Recent technical evolution has enhanced performance significantly. Czapek upgraded from the original 18-carat recycled gold micro-rotor to the current platinum version, achieving 25% increased power delivery. Simultaneously, complete ball bearing replacement beneath the micro-rotor contributed to the impressive 90% winding efficiency.
Sporty with Czapek’s Recognisable Features
The Antarctique case architecture maintains consistent 40.5mm diameter across all three models, measuring 10.6mm height. The Lapis Lazuli and Falcon Eye variants utilise 5N rose gold construction, whilst the Green Meteor employs 2N yellow gold. These precious metal selections complement each dial’s particular character whilst providing robust 120-metre water resistance through screwed-down crown configuration.
Crystal selection employs sapphire with anti-reflective treatment applied to both interior and exterior surfaces. The caseback features sapphire crystal allowing movement viewing, essential given the SXH5’s architectural beauty. Case finishing demonstrates contemporary luxury sports watch philosophy: maintaining clean lines whilst incorporating sufficient surface variation to create visual interest under varying lighting conditions.
The integrated bracelet system features Czapek‘s exclusive Easy Release mechanism allowing rapid strap changes without tools. Each model includes matching precious metal bracelet alongside rubber strap option with deployant buckle. This dual offering recognises modern collectors’ preferences for versatility: precious metal for formal occasions, rubber for active pursuits.
From the High Sky to Deep Depths
These Antarctique Mount Erebus Rare Stones executions represent Czapek‘s maturation as a legitimate haute horlogerie manufacture. The combination of geological rarity, technical sophistication, and manufacturing excellence creates timepieces that genuinely justify their positioning within contemporary luxury watchmaking’s upper echelons. The production limitations of 10 pieces annually for Lapis Lazuli 71.000 EUR / 66.000 CHF and Falcon Eye 67.000 EUR / 62.000 CHF, just 8 pieces total for Green Meteor 68.100 EUR / 63.000 CHF, reflect both material scarcity and Czapek’s commitment to exclusivity. These aren’t artificial limitations but genuine constraints imposed by working with such demanding materials.
From Xavier de Roquemaurel’s perspective, these timepieces embody Czapek‘s “We Collect Rare People” philosophy extending to rare materials themselves. The fragility and unpredictability of these geological specimens makes each watch genuinely unique, not through artificial variation but through nature’s own irregularities preserved in perpetuity. The technical foundation provided by the SXH5 calibre offers contemporary performance expectations whilst the precious metal cases deliver appropriate luxury positioning. Most importantly, these watches demonstrate genuine character: timepieces that couldn’t originate from any other manufacture, carrying geological stories spanning millions of years within cases expressing distinctly modern horological philosophy.
The wearing is a typical bracelet sports watch – the weight of gold is sensible even for those used to full bracelet sports steel watches, increased only by the value of personal importance – a unique superb dial on each piece. For me it is hard to decide on a favourite: I am amazed by the blue gold contrast of the Lapis Lazuli version, the mysterious Falcon Eye stone invites to retrospection and study while the green meteor conquers through its origin and decoration. A beautiful trilogy bringing Heaven and Earth together through an creativity and good taste.
