Geneva, July 2019 – The Geneva-based maison participates in November’s charity auction with a Faubourg de Cracovie with light blue details, inspired by this year’s Only Watch official colour: Czapek Only Watch Onyx & Chalcedony Chronograph – Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie “Only Watch”.
For the second time, Czapek & Cie. will support the Only Watch charity auction with a unique piece, the Faubourg de Cracovie Only Watch – a black onyx dial version of its audacious and charming chronograph. Held under the patronage of Prince Albert II of Monaco, Only Watch is organized by the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies and is the world’s leading charity auction entirely devoted to research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Since 2005, more than 40 million Swiss Francs have been raised in the event’s seven editions to finance research in this field.
“Doing well by doing good has always been part of our mission and vision as we revived the brand” declares Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie. “Altogether we have won many battles: the battle of altruism and empathy; the battle of beauty and research of excellence; the battle of awareness for research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Now, let’s continue pushing hard, and win the battle to cure this disease”, adds Luc Pettavino, Founder and Organizer of Only Watch.
Based on the Czapek’s chronograph Faubourg de Cracovie, this timepiece features a magnificent and deep black onyx dial that is beautifully offset by the chalcedony counters in reference to the official colour of Only Watch 8th edition. Striped chalcedony adds to the piece an extraordinary feel. “The rarity of this semi precious stone and its natural stripes convey a sense of immortal beauty.”
The onyx dial of the Faubourg de Cracovie Only Watch hosts the inscription “Courage every second” between 12 and 2 o’clock, the same emblematic sentence that was “secretly” engraved on the white grand-feu enamel dial of the unique piece created for Only Watch 2017.
“Courage every second is now becoming Czapek signature to support Only Watch and the battle against this disease. It is a reminder of the purpose of our own life, of our passage on earth, and as well a way to let our heart beat in harmony with the kids and their family.” adds Xavier.
The timepiece is encased in 41.5 mm titanium case with black ADLC® coating fitted with a sapphire crystal glass-box on the dial side. It is powered by the SXH3 caliber, visible through the sapphire glass caseback. This integrated column-wheel automatic chronograph movement was built by Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier in a bespoke execution for Czapek. It delivers 65h power reserve from a single barrel that drives the balance wheel at 36,000 vph. Its linear hammer reduces wear and tear on parts and resets all the associated dials in one easy movement, while the vertical clutch ensures a perfect start for the chronograph hand.
The Faubourg de Cracovie Only Watch will be auctioned off on November 9, 2019 in Geneva, under the hammer of Christie’s. From 25 September to 9 November the timepiece will be showcased at first class events, Christie’s salerooms as well as leading retailers, in Monaco, Dubai, Paris, London, New York, Tokyo, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and Geneva. The Principality of Monaco will host the first stop of itinerant exhibition, on the occasion of the Monaco Yacht Show.
About Czapek & Cie
François Czapek was a Czech-born Polish watchmaker who fled to Geneva in 1832 after fighting in the Polish Uprising. He started his own atelier in 1833 and a second one in 1839. In 1845 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 Place Vendôme in Paris. He also wrote a book, in which he shared his passion and knowledge about watchmaking with his contemporaries. Sharing passion became the driver behind the company’s rebirth in 2015. The three initial entrepreneurs have now become 250 watch-loving shareholders supporting the company and turning its revival into a remarkable (ad)venture. The company’s first model, Quai des Bergues No.33, based on an original Czapek pocket watch, won the Public Prize of the Grand Prix d’ Horlogerie in Geneva in November 2016. It features a beautiful enamel dial and a seven-day proprietary movement that combines exclusive design with perfect craftsmanship. The company’s second collection, a suspended Tourbillon with a second time-zone, was launched one year later in 2017. The first Czapek chronograph, Faubourg de Cracovie, was unveiled at Baselworld 2018. The company has its headquarters
and a boutique in Geneva, Switzerland.
Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie “Only Watch”
Grade-5 Titanium, Onyx and Chalcedony Integrated, COSC-Certified 5 Hz Chronograph
FUNCTIONS
– Chronograph, hours, minutes & seconds, date
with semi-instantaneous change
– Stop 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
MOUVEMENT
– SXH3 Caliber: 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
– Grade-5 titanium case with black ADLC® coating
– 41.5 mm external diameter
– Sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment
– Sapphire case back with anti-reflective treatment on the inner side
– Water resistance: 50m
BRACELET
– Alligator strap with titanium deploying buckle
DIAL
– Black onyx dial with light blue chalcedony counters
– Light blue “XII” and inscription “Courage every second” between 12 and 2 o’clock
– Czapek arrow rhodium plated steel hands with Superluminova® treatment
– Light blue small seconds hand
