Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Mother-of-Pearl Dials for the Czapek Antarctique S Ice Cloud and Promenade Midnight Pearl
Czapek explores the spellbinding iridescence of mother-of-pearl on two limited editions.
Among the incredible variety of materials used to decorate dials, mother-of-pearl is an all-time favourite. Obtained from the inner lining of oyster and mollusc shells, mother-of-pearl is a captivating, naturally iridescent material that adds a unique shimmer to dials. Working with GT Cadrans, a specialist Swiss dial manufacturer, Czapek embellishes its Antarctique S and Promenade watches with shimmering mother-of-pearl dials.
Living up to its name, the Antarctique S Ice Cloud features delicate cloud formations on the dial executed by dial specialist GT Cadrans. Using a technique known as nacre brouillé, or scattered mother-of-pearl, the artisan applies varnish to the underside of the white, polished nacre disc with a horsehair brush, creating random cloud patterns. To suggest the icy atmosphere of Antarctic skies, the underside is painted with a blue-tinted varnish. The gentle blues and purples of the billowing clouds on the dial serve as a background for the signature faceted indices with sharp angular edges filled with luminescent material. A somewhat unusual choice, the central seconds hand has a red tip.
Czapek’s luxury sports watch, the Antarctique, was launched in 2020. The model chosen for the mother-of-pearl dial is the smaller, slightly less sporty-looking but 120m water-resistant 38.5mm x 10.2mm model introduced in 2022 as the Antarctique S. With its integrated bracelet and contrasting brushed and polished finishes, the S model is powered by the brand’s beautiful in-house SXH5.
Czapek’s 38mm Promenade is a contemporary dress watch collection with slim 10.8mm-high cases. Designed as a “canvas for creative expression”, the Promenade Midnight Pearl’s dial features a patented sandwich construction with aventurine glass over a Tahitian mother-of-pearl disc. Renowned for its exotic violet and green iridescent reflections, the ultra-thin 0.22mm disc of Tahitian nacre is overlaid with blue aventurine glass, a man-made material with metallic inclusions that sparkle like stars in the sky.
Unlike some artistic Promenade models, this model features the off-centred small seconds counter at 4:30, and cutting and perforating the aventurine glass without damaging the underlying nacre is a painstaking process. To ensure a clear view of the sparkling night sky, the arrow-shaped hands and indices at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock are openworked.
Both models are powered by the brand’s slim, in-house SXH5 automatic movement (the Promenade uses the SXH5.1 variant with small seconds) with an off-centred platinum micro-rotor, a 4Hz frequency and a 60-hour power reserve. Visible from the caseback, the movement features seven bridges, five of which are openworked, decorated with hand-bevelled edges and straight-grained flanks.
The Antarctique comes with an integrated steel bracelet with an Easy Release system and micro-adjustment, and is delivered with an additional rubber strap. The Promenade is paired with a dark blue Nubuck strap but can be ordered with a Milanese steel mesh bracelet.
The Antarctique S Ice Cloud is a limited edition of 10 pieces and retails for CHF 24,000 / EUR 25,900 (excl. tax). The Promenade Midnight Pearl is limited to 38 pieces and retails for CHF 18,800 / EUR 20,300 (excl. tax). More information at czapek.com.
