The Czapek Antarctique for GMT Milano Edition

In 2020, five years after reviving the name of a distinguished 19th-century Geneva-based Czech-born Polish watchmaker with the launch of the Quai des Bergues collection, Czapek introduced its take on the popular genre of steel sports watches with an integrated bracelet, the Antarctique, powered by the brand’s first in-house movement. The model quickly gained well-deserved success, resulting in a long waiting list, and has since evolved with several stunning variants. The latest release is an exclusive limited edition created by Czapek for the Italian retailer GMT Great Masters of Time – a family-owned company and a “leading destination for high-end independent watchmaking”. The new watch retains everything fans love about the Antarctique and now features a striking Franciacorta-colored dial.

The 120-meter water-resistant, 40.5mm x 10.6mm case of the Czapek Antarctique for GMT is the same as across the series, with a sunray-brushed finish on the barrel-shaped middle part framing a round, sloped polished bezel with a glass-box AR-treated sapphire crystal. Subtle crown guards protect the fluted screw-down crown, and the caseback has a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on the inside.

The distinguishing feature of this special Antarctique edition is the champagne-coloured grain-textured matte dial, crafted by Metalem, a La-Chaux-de-Fonds-based manufacturer with whom Czapek has enjoyed a longstanding partnership. This dial’s unique hue, consistently used in GMT Milano’s exclusive editions, has become a symbolic hallmark for the retailer. Applied hour indices, which segment the circular satin-finished minute track and the hands, are all treated with Super-LumiNova, with a double index at 12 o’clock. Notably, for this edition, Czapek has opted not to include a date indication.

The Antarctique for GMT Milano is powered by the in-house SXH5 self-winding micro-rotor movement, first introduced with the series in 2020. Since then, the movement has undergone key upgrades to enhance performance, such as using platinum for the micro-rotor. The caseback gives you a generous view of this beautifully crafted calibre, with its micro-rotor off-centre, visible gear train, and skeletonized, sandblasted black bridges. The movement also features a free-sprung balance wheel for improved accuracy. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, the SXH5 delivers a 60-hour power reserve from a single barrel.

The Czapek Antarctique for GMT Milano comes on an integrated stainless steel bracelet featuring the brand’s exclusive “Easy Release” system and a micro-adjustment device. Additionally, a calf leather or rubber strap is included with the purchase. This special edition for GMT Milano is limited to just 30 pieces and is available for pre-order exclusively at GMT Great Masters of Time, located on Via della Spiga 25 in Milan. Deliveries are set to begin at the end of 2024; the price is CHF 22,000 (before taxes). For more, visit gmtitalia.com and czapek.com.