Czapek, “An Unexpected Renaissance”

For once, we are not going to talk about the launch of a new watch. Instead, we are going to talk about the premiere of a film – and a rather unique one at that. Czapek, An Unexpected Renaissance is something rarely seen in the watch industry: a 50-minute documentary filmed from the inside, retracing ten years in the life of Czapek & Cie and, as its title suggests, its unexpected rebirth.

The film stands out not only because of its unusual length for a watch-industry production, but also because of its tone and authenticity. Of course, like any film, it reflects a point of view. Yet what defines it above all is its honesty. It feels genuine, human, and deeply personal. And since authenticity is at the core of this documentary, let me briefly share my own personal connection with the brand.

I remember very clearly when Czapek & Cie was first launched. At the time, it was perfectly legitimate to ask serious questions. Launching an independent watch brand from scratch through a crowdfunding model, with limited experience in watchmaking but an abundance of passion and energy, was undeniably a bold move. Yes, there was an attractive first watch, the Quai des Bergues, and yes, there was a historic name carrying a certain legacy – but was that really enough? Many people had doubts… including me.

Even though I may have had some reservations at the time, I have always had tremendous respect for projects like this. After all, I personally left a position at the Ministry of Transport to create MONOCHROME Watches. Imagine starting a blog about watches in the Netherlands twenty years ago. Many people told me I was completely crazy. Today, I could not be happier with the path our magazine has taken.

And that is perhaps why the story of Czapek & Cie resonates so strongly with me. More than the history associated with the Czapek name, and beyond the undeniable quality of its watches, the brand was built around a philosophy – a sense of community and human connection crystallised in its motto: “We Collect Rare People.”

That phrase is not just marketing rhetoric. It reflects a culture based on trust, empathy, collaboration, and meaningful relationships. It can be seen in the way the brand interacts with its partners, clients, suppliers, employees, and the wider watch community. Ultimately, it is this human dimension that enabled Czapek to grow, and that explains why people feel attached to the brand. It is also the reason why I followed the company throughout these years and why I agreed to contribute a short testimonial to this film.

The rest, as they say, is history.

The documentary retraces the evolution of the brand through its major collections – from the Quai des Bergues to the Place Vendôme and the Faubourg de Cracovie – culminating in the launch of the Antarctique during the COVID era. Another bold and game-changing decision, the Antarctique became a phenomenal success and truly propelled the brand to another level. That same Antarctique collection also allowed me to collaborate with Czapek & Cie on one of our rare subscription editions at MONOCHROME Watches, a project I particularly enjoyed developing.

But once again, behind the watches themselves lies something even more important: energy, passion, and human commitment. The drive of Xavier de Roquemaurel, the brand’s CEO, has been absolutely essential to the company’s development. He invested so much energy and emotion into this adventure that, as he recounts in the film, he very nearly lost his life in the process. Ten years later, Czapek & Cie has earned its place as a significant player in independent watchmaking – a brand that matters and a brand worth following. But perhaps more importantly, it has earned its place within the community of “Rare People” it speaks about so passionately.

There is no need to say much more. As the saying goes, images are worth far more than words… So this weekend, grab some popcorn, sit back comfortably, forget Netflix for a moment, and watch An Unexpected Renaissance.