ReviewTrapezoid Trance With Czapek Antarctique Salmon And Glacier Blue

The foundation of Swiss brand Czapek rests on a rich legacy of timepieces created by 19th-century watchmaker François Czapek—a legacy that the co-founders of the modern-day brand, Xavier de Roquemaurel, Harry Guhl, and Sébastien Follonier, have carried forward today. In late 2022, Czapek reinvented their popular Antarctique Passage de Drake line by unveiling two brand-new editions.

Signature ‘Stairway’

The latest entrants showcase a stamped flinqué dial in the patented ‘Stairway to heaven’ pattern. These come in two new dial colourways: salmon (limited edition of 99 pieces) created using galvanic processes; and glacier blue achieved with a PVD (physical vapour deposition) treatment. Both the Passage de Drake models were produced in collaboration with Swiss-based partner Metalem.

This glacier blue dial showcases a stamped flinqué dial in the patented ‘Stairway to heaven’ pattern achieved with a PVD (physical vapour deposition) treatment

Appearance wise, a date aperture at six o’clock with a background hue complements the dial. The glass and caseback are in sapphire crystal with an antireflective coating. Additionally, Czapek offer customisable options to give the collector the pleasure of owning a piece that complements their style. The personalisation services assist the buyer in picking their dial display between Arabic numeral ‘12’ in or a double index at 12 o’clock. Buyers have the option to customise the colour of the seconds hand in red, plain or just the tip in red.

The two new hues have been very popular in watches lately. However, the glacier blue is a a slightly darker version of the regular ice blue one comes across

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Even the salmon is more muted than most salmon pinks that we see

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These steel sport watches are clearly suitable to wear with any kind of attire

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Micro-Power

The two Passage de Drake models are the upgraded versions of previous Antarctique models. These watches replace the original 18-karat gold rotor with an off-centred platinum 950 micro-rotor, and a complete change in the ball bearing to deliver a total power reserve of 60 hours. This maintains the classic in-house movement that pays homage to the history of Czapek’s mechanical pocket watches. Like the brand’s Antarctique Terre Adélie collection, the Passage de Drake models have a 10.6mm slim height, 45mm lug-to-lug measurement, and a 40.5mm in width, with water resistance up to 120m. Moreover, buyers can personalise an engraving on the caseback.

The Passage de Drake line has integrated bracelets, made of C-shaped links, featuring an ‘easy release’ system to switch straps with new micro-adjustments. A complimentary strap in calf leather or rubber allows the buyer to switch from formal to sporty as they desire.