Iridescence in Focus: Czapek’s New Mother-of-Pearl Editions

The independent watchmaker channels the spellbinding glow of mother-of-pearl into the Antarctique S Ice Cloud and Promenade Midnight Pearl, each produced in limited numbers.

Czapek

Among the diverse array of materials employed for dial decoration, mother-of-pearl is a perennial favourite. Derived from the inside lining of oyster and mollusc shells, mother-of-pearl is an intriguing, naturally iridescent substance that imparts a distinctive lustre to dials. Czapek enhances its Antarctique S and Promenade timepieces with lustrous mother-of-pearl dials, collaborating with GT Cadrans, a specialised Swiss dial producer.

The Antarctique S Ice Cloud, true to its designation, showcases intricate cloud patterns on the dial, crafted by the dial expert GT Cadrans. The artist employs a method called nacre brouillé, or scattered mother-of-pearl, to apply varnish to the underside of the white, polished nacre disc using a horsehair brush, resulting in random cloud patterns. The bottom is coated with a blue-tinted lacquer to evoke the frigid ambiance of Antarctic skies. The soft blues and purples of the billowing clouds on the dial provide a backdrop for the distinctive faceted indices, characterised by strong angular edges filled with luminescent material. The center seconds hand features a unique red tip.

Czapek's luxury sports timepiece, the Antarctique, was introduced in 2020. The selected model for the mother-of-pearl dial is the more compact, marginally less athletic in appearance, nevertheless 120m water-resistant 38.5mm x 10.2mm variant launched in 2022 as the Antarctique S. The S model features an integrated bracelet and a combination of brushed and polished finishes, powered by the brand's exquisite in-house SXH5 movement.

Czapek

Czapek's 38mm Promenade is a modern dress watch collection featuring slender 10.8mm casings. The Promenade Midnight Pearl's dial, intended as a "canvas for creative expression," showcases a proprietary sandwich design with aventurine glass on a Tahitian mother-of-pearl disc. The ultra-thin 0.22mm disc of Tahitian nacre, celebrated for its unusual violet and green iridescent reflections, is covered with blue aventurine glass, a synthetic substance featuring metallic inclusions that shimmer like stars.

Czapek

This model, unlike certain creative Promenade variants, incorporates an off-centered little seconds counter at 4:30, and the meticulous technique of cutting and perforating the aventurine glass without compromising the underlying nacre is laborious. To provide an unobstructed view of the luminous night sky, the arrow-shaped hands and indices at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock are skeletonised.

Czapek

Both models utilise the brand's slender, proprietary SXH5 automatic movement (the Promenade employs the SXH5.1 variant including small seconds), which includes an off-centered platinum micro-rotor, operates at a frequency of 4Hz, and has a 60-hour power reserve. The movement, observable via the caseback, has seven bridges, five of which are openworked and adorned with hand-bevelled edges and straight-grained sides. The Antarctique features an integrated steel bracelet equipped with an Easy Release mechanism and micro-adjustment, and is included with an extra rubber strap. The Promenade is accompanied by a dark blue Nubuck strap, while it can also be requested with a Milanese steel mesh bracelet.

The Antarctique S Ice Cloud is a limited edition of 10 units, priced at EUR 25,900 (without tax). The Promenade Midnight Pearl is restricted to 38 units and is priced at EUR 20,300 (without tax). Additional details at czapek.com.