The Czapek Antarctique P.04 Lanikai x Collective Horology

Independent watchmaker Czapek launched its first luxury sports watch – the Antarctique – with an in-house movement in 2020, with the inaugural Terre Adélie edition. Sporting different dial colours and textures and two case sizes, the 40.5mm edition of the Antarctique has been selected by Collective Horology for its fourth collaboration watch. The turquoise enamel dial with its undulating seabed is inspired by Hawaiian waters and took nearly three years to materialise. The Antarctique P.04 Lanikai for Collective Horology is a limited edition of 50 pieces, and does make quite an impact. Quite a polarizing model, objectively.

Hawaiian waters

Founders Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly of Collective Horology, a member-only group based in California that creates collaborative watches for enthusiasts and retails independent brands with limited distribution in the US, were drawn to the sophisticated and contemporary spirit of the Antarctique for their fourth collaboration watch. Reilly, who studied at the University of Hawaii, wanted to recreate the unique aquamarine hues and textures of the waters surrounding Lanikai Beach.

The blank was formed into a concave shape to create the effect of varying depths across the dial. Its wavy texture was stamped with a hand-engraved mould to reproduce the natural irregularities of the seabed. Working with members of Donzé Cadrans, the last stage involved the application of a specially sourced turquoise-coloured enamel before being fired in the kiln. The result is a beautiful yet audacious dial that captures the effect of light and shadows dancing through the waves. Underscoring the maritime theme, the central seconds hand is painted in a sandy colour, and there is no date window or applied indices to interrupt the serene scenery. However, the sword-shaped hour and minute hands are treated with luminescent material.

Antarctique

The Antarctique luxury sports watch stands out from the regular crowd of angular, complex cases with multi-sided bezels that tend to dominate this genre. Housed in a brushed barrel-shaped case with a round, polished sloping bezel, like other 40.5mm Antarctique models, the watch has a relatively slim height of 10.6mm. The integrated bracelet follows the lines of the case and features brushed links with C-shaped polished middle links. Upgraded with the new screw-through link construction and updated end-links, the bracelet has an easy-release system to swap it for the rubber strap provided with the watch. The discreet crown guards and screw-down crown ensure the 120m water-resistance of the case.

Calibre SXH5

Czapek’s spectacular in-house automatic movement with a recycled platinum micro-rotor powers the watch. Measuring 30mm, the distinctive architecture of the movement is graced with seven skeletonised bridges, including the transversal bridge securing the variable inertia balance wheel. Inspired by the shape of 19^th-century pocket watches, the bridges provide a generous view of the mechanism. Beating at a frequency of 28,800vph, the single barrel delivers a power reserve of 60 hours. The finishing is modern but elaborate, with hand chamfering, black polishing and bevelling.

Availability & Price

The Czapek Antarctique P.04 Lanikai x Collective Horology is a limited edition of 50 pieces, and deliveries commence at the end of August 2023. The retail price is USD 26,500, and the watches are available exclusively at collectivehorology.com.