Antarctique Green Meteor Limited Edition

The 26th of May 2020, Czapek released the Antarctique Terre Adélie, the very first model of the Antarctique collection, a new range of watches that exudes a feeling of preciousness but could also be worn and admired in everyday life. Now, Czapek & Cie is proud to present its new version: The Passage de Drake. Named after the English explorer Sir Francis Drake, the Drake Passage connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans between Cape Horn (the southernmost point of South American) and the South Shetland Islands of the Antarctic. The stormy seas and icy conditions make it one of the most challenging places to navigate and sailors say to prepare yourself for an experience somewhere between bad and terrifying!

The creation of these timepieces has not only been a technical adventure but a human one. Czapek & Cie considers its suppliers to be partners and refers to them as such. The brand is also truly appreciative of its 200+ shareholders, without whom the adventure would never have even started. And last but not least, it is grateful for all the watch connoisseurs who have chosen to purchase a Czapek & Cie timepiece, selecting something different from the mainstream. When it comes to collecting, Czapek collects rare people who have become part of the journey, every step of the way. 

There's more to haute horlogerie than virtuosic complications. Movement design, rare and fine finishing, selected materials or intricate case surfaces, and attention to detail, are all key factors that increase a timepiece's value. The hands design is reminiscent of a sword, sporty and easy-to-read, as well as the three-dimensional indexes. The 40.5mm stainless steel case is integrated with an original double ‘trompe l'oeil’ curve, another unconventional design choice making this timepiece unique and exclusive. 

The new Antarctique Green Meteor is featuring an extraordinary green dial made out of an iron-nickel alloy meteorite and its very distinctive crystal patterns, sometimes called Widmanstätten patterns. They occur from extremely slow cooling from a molten state in the vacuum of space when the solar system first formed. Once in the solid state, the slow cooling then allows the solid solution to precipitate a separate phase that grows within the crystal lattice, which form at very specific angles that are determined by the lattice. In meteors, these interstitial defects can grow large enough to fill the entire crystal with needle or ribbon-like structures easily visible to the naked eye, almost entirely consuming the original lattice. Yet these patterns are fully revealing the outers space beauty when the meteor is cut and washed with acid.

Functions
Hours, Minutes and Central seconds

Movement
Caliber SXH5: in-house self-winding mechanical movement
Diameter: 30mm - 13 lines 1/4
Height: 4.2mm
Number of Parts: 193
Jewels: 28
Swiss lever escapement, variable-inertia balance wheel regulated by 4 small cylindrical inertia blocks
Frequency: 4 Hz - 28800 VpH
Power winding system: micro-rotor with a recycled platinum mass
Power reserve: 60 hours, one single barrel
Barrel torque: 8.8 Nmm

Finish
Open ratchet, sandblasted black bridges, 
bevelling, straight-grained sides, hand-chamfering

Case
40.5mm steel case
Height: 10.6mm
Sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment
Sapphire case back with anti-reflective
treatment on the inner side
Water resistance: 120m
Screwed-down crown

Dial
Dial made of Gibson iron meteorite, renowned 
for its striking Widmanstätten patterns
Green Polished laquer

Bracelet
Integrated stainless steel bracelet with Czapek
exclusive "Easy Release" system and micro-adjustment device
Additional calf leather or rubber strap