The New Czapek & Cie. Antarctique Purple Storm with a Hand-Varnished Dial

Time and space are deeply intertwined, so it’s no surprise that images of the cosmos continue to inspire watchmakers. Since introducing its Antarctique collection of sports watches with integrated bracelets in 2020, Czapek has explored celestial themes with creations like the Antarctique Orion Nebula and the Antarctique Celestial—no longer in the brand’s current lineup. Other editions like the Polar Sky and Green Meteor with a meteorite dial also echo this inspiration. The latest addition, the Antarctique Purple Storm, features a striking dial that may remind collectors of the unique Antarctique Alpha previously highlighted in our Collector’s Series. However, this new release uses a vivid and captivating violet hue. Let’s take a look.

The Czapek Antarctique Purple Storm features the collection’s signature 40.5mm x 10.6mm stainless steel case, balancing elegance and functionality. The case has a refined sunray-brushed finish on the midsection, contrasted by a polished bezel. A box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment ensures clear visibility, while the fluted screw-down crown is protected by guards for practicality. The sapphire crystal caseback offers a view of the movement within, and the case maintains a robust water resistance of up to 120 meters.

While Czapek’s Antarctique case and integrated bracelet with the high-polished middle C-shaped links are known for their comfort and refined aesthetics, the design is already familiar. The Purple Storm sets itself apart with its hand-varnished dial, made by Metalem, Czapek’s frequent partner from La Chaux-de-Fonds. The dial’s violet gradient is designed to “capture the mood and depth of a natural storm”, evoking a “sense of mystery and dynamic movement”.

Quite minimalist, it lacks indices, a minutes track and a date window. The white-printed Czapek logo, though, remains present, while the slender central seconds hand is visible only at certain angles. The hour and minute hands maintain their signature shape, enhanced with Super-LumiNova inserts for legibility. Clearly, the focus of the watch is the galaxy-inspired dial, which can be polarizing.

The more romantically inclined may realize that upon prolonged inspection, it vividly conveys the anticipation of an impending storm, with flashes of lightning emerging from the swirling purple clouds—a true “purple storm” in every sense. Fans of the “traditional” textured Czapek Antarctique dials, complete with applied indices and a minutes track, may find solace in knowing that the waiting period for the Czapek & Cie. Antarctique Purple Storm aligns with that of the regular Antarctique series—approximately one year. Following its premiere at The Horology Club’s 3rd Anniversary event in Hong Kong on November 20, 2024, the Purple Storm will be available for pre-order, with deliveries scheduled to begin in November 2025.

The Antarctique Purple Storm is driven by Czapek’s in-house SXH5 self-winding micro-rotor movement, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback once you turn the watch over. Introduced in 2020, this movement has been refined for enhanced performance, now featuring a recycled platinum off-centre micro-rotor for improved efficiency. Another standout feature is the variable inertia balance wheel, engineered to optimize both accuracy and timekeeping stability. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, the SXH5 provides a good 60-hour power reserve from a single barrel.

The integrated stainless steel bracelet includes Czapek’s exclusive “Easy Release” system for effortless strap changes and a micro-adjustment mechanism for superior comfort. Pricing for this exceptional, limited 18-piece Czapek & Cie. Antarctique Purple Storm edition has yet to be confirmed.

For more information, please visit Czapek.com.