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Named after the location of its third boutique, opened in the 1850s in Warsaw, Poland, the Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie sits as the brand’s chronograph offering and was fittingly its third new model from the brand in 2018. Since its reemergence, Czapek has never rested upon its laurels, always pushing to create stunning timepieces with unique displays, as with the Quai des Bourges, and unrivaled execution within larger trends, like the Antarctique. This year, Czapek is bringing another brilliant interpretation to its chronograph with the Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads.
While the dial will, no doubt, capture most onlookers’ eyes, Czapek has always impressed with its case designs and finishing. The new Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads is no exception. Measuring 41.5mm, the stainless steel case with craved flanks that have been frosted to contrast with the polished facets of the case. The curved profile ensures a comfortable presence on the wrist, and the watch offers 50m of water resistance and a glassbox sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating for uncompromised legibility.
The crown and pushers are a standout feature, but not literally. Instead of prominent pump pushers or discrete blocky pushers, the pushers, crown guards, and crown exist in a continuous element on the case’s right flank. The pushers sit on either side of the crown guards that nestle the engraved crown. The effect is an uninterrupted silhouette that elevates itself above the typical chronograph. The case is complemented by a black or blue alligator strap, or alternatively with an Alcantara strap, each equipped with a pin buckle, tastefully branded with the Czapek name.
For the new Crossroads, Czapek sought to not just strike a balance between its traditional craftsmanship and more modern designs but to erase any difference between the two. The first step was a decidedly contemporary guilloché dial, developed in collaboration with longtime partner, Swiss dial maker Metalem. A reinterpretation of the ‘Double Soleil’ guilloché created for Quai des Bergues last year, the new Crossroads pattern has straighter lines more widely spaced and deeply etched. A subtle notion of tire treads reinforces the racing spirit captured by the chronograph complication. The Faubourg de Cracovie will be offered in both a Deep Blue dial and a Secret Alloy dial, the latter of which is the natural greyish color of the dial in Czapek’s “Alloy 401.” Czapek uses this alloy for all its guilloche dials, a mix of soft and hard materials — platinum, gold, silver, palladium, and other metals — chosen to achieve ideal tensile strength, and because, when polished before guillochage, it creates intense reflections that emphasize the crispness of the engraved lines.
Those fortunate enough to have encountered previous Faubourg de Cracovie models will quickly realize that this is the first with a tachymeter scale, enabling the calculation of speed based on travel time. This adds a new element of utility to the timepiece that, when combined with the intricate guilloché dial, further blurs the line between elegance and sport without sacrifice. The dial is appointed with lumed applied hour markers and recessed silver azurés subdials. Though the photos herein only show lume on the hands of the Deep Blue dial, both models will have lumed hands in their production executions. The Secret Alloy hands are blued for a striking play of the light.
Working with one of the finest movement manufactures in the world, Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, Czapek has developed a custom execution of a haute horlogerie Swiss automatic chronograph movement. The caliber SXH3 is a COSC-certified chronometer movement and features a column wheel and vertical clutch chronograph mechanism that gives it a desirable tactility. It operates at 36,000 vph or 5hz with an impressive 65-hour power reserve. Seen through the sapphire caseback crystal, in addition to the contrasting beauty of the skeletonized 22k gold rotor, the movement has sandblasted anthracite bridges with diamond-polished bevels, giving it a modern look that complements the fascinating dial.
Adding an incredible new dimensionality to not just Czapek’s catalog but the Faubourg de Cracovie line, the new Crossroads model demonstrates once again Czapek’s ability to craft exceptional, exciting, luxury timepieces. Balancing form and function without compromise, the watch delivers a perfect chronograph timepiece that is as easy on the wrist as it is on the eyes. Both Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads models are priced at CHF 36,000. The Secret Alloy is limited to 50 pieces while the Deep Blue is unlimited. For more information, please visit the Czapek website.
Czapek timepieces are available in the U.S from the following authorized retailers:
Cellini Jewlers
430 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022
www.cellinijewelers.com
Collective Horology
Ventura, CA
www.collectivehorology.com
Exquisite Timepieces
The Village on Venetian Bay
Naples, FL 34103
www.exquisitetimepieces.com
Oster Jewelers
251 Steele Street
Denver, CO 80206
www.osterjewelers.com
Topper Fine Jewelers
1315 Burlingame Ave
Burlingame, CA 94010
www.topperjewelers.com
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