Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. New Racing Livery for the Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads Lightning
New colours for Czapek's chronograph inspired by the helmet livery of Swiss racing driver Jacopo Mazza.
Independent Swiss watchmaker Czapek & Cie has unveiled a new addition to its signature chronograph collection: the Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads Lightning. Limited to just 18 pieces globally, this motorsport-inspired timepiece borrows its racing livery from the helmet of a young Swiss driver, Jacopo Mazza.
Faubourg de Cracovie
Named after the location of François Czapek’s third historical boutique opened in Warsaw in 1850, the Faubourg de Cracovie collection was launched in 2018. Marking the brand’s third core collection, it was Czapek’s first chronograph and was fitted with a sophisticated high-frequency column-wheel movement made by Vaucher. Going against the grain of most sporty chronographs, the Faubourg de Cracovie flaunted traditional Grand Feu enamel and guilloché dials until 2024, when the dials donned a sportier Crossroads guilloché pattern. Another sports-oriented addition was the incorporation of a tachymeter scale on the California Dreamin’ variant that would become a standard feature of the Crossroads series.
Racing livery
The aesthetic inspiration for the Crossroads Lightning, with its high-contrast black, silver and red accents, comes directly from the racing helmet of Jacopo Mazza, a young Swiss GT championship driver.
The angled tachymeter scale is highlighted in a gradient red, with lighter tones in the upper section and darker ones around the base. Buffering the red gradient tachymeter scale from the dial is a silver-coloured precision minutes/seconds track. Like earlier references, the hand-guilloché work on the dial is executed by Metalem, a prestigious Swiss dial manufacturer. The Alloy 401 used on the dial, a blend of gold, platinum and palladium, is deep black and decorated with the Crossroads guilloché pattern composed of straight lines set wide apart to recall tyre treads.
The two silver sub-dials, with a 12-hour chronograph counter at 9 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, are arranged horizontally with circular-brushed frames and snailed interiors. To avoid eclipsing the guilloché work, the small seconds are indicated directly on the black dial with white markings, with a colour-matched aperture for the date. All three counters are indicated by bright red lacquered hands, matching the tip of the central chronograph seconds hand. The applied baton indices and arrow tips of the hour and minute hands are enhanced with Super-LumiNova.
Aerodynamic Profile
The case is crafted from high-grade stainless steel with a 41.5 mm diameter and a 49 mm lug-to-lug distance. The caseband is hollowed out to accommodate the crown protectors that house the integrated chronograph pushers, producing a smooth, streamlined profile. The dial is protected by a vintage-inspired glassbox sapphire crystal with a sapphire crystal on the caseback, and the case is water-resistant to 50 metres.
Calibre SXH3
The Faubourg de Cracovie is powered by calibre SXH3, a high-frequency, COSC chronometer-certified automatic chronograph built to Czapek’s specifications by Vaucher. This modern high-grade integrated chronograph movement with a column wheel and vertical clutch runs at 5Hz, allowing precision measurements of 1/10th of a second. Its power reserve is 65 hours when fully wound. The modern, technical-looking finish is based on anthracite sandblasted and diamond-polished bridges contrasting with the pink gold openworked rotor.
Availability & Price
The watch can be paired with an Alcantara or calfskin strap with a deployant clasp. It is a limited edition of 18 pieces and retails for CHF 32,000, EUR 34,600 or USD 44,800 (excl. tax). More information at czapek.com.
