While the Antarctique is the modern flagship of Czapek, they are far more than a one trick pony. One of their less well-known collections is the Faubourg De Cracovie, an elegant chronograph with a sporty edge to it. There are currently only five references in the current range, as opposed to the Antarctique which is approaching 50 – though that changes today with the unveiling of the new Faubourg De Cracovie “Crossroads” Victory Green Chronograph, putting the chrono back into the spotlight.
The sporty-chic aspect of this watch comes from the combination of a 41.5mm steel case and a Metiers d’Art style dial. Looking at the case first, it has a classic round design with polished lugs but it’s actually when you look at it from an angle that more of the sportiness is revealed. The lugs have recessed flanks that lead into the equally recessed caseband – offering a different style of finish with its sandblasting and removing material to make the watch a bit lighter. That detail is more noticeable on the lefthand flank of the watch because the right is dominated by the crown and large integrated pushers.
For the dial, it’s all about that guilloché. It’s a pattern known as double soleil, which Czapek developed for the Quai des Bergues model. Here it’s been reworked with straighter lines and deeper grooves to lean into the sportiness a touch more, which is what gives the model its nickname “Crossroads”. Czapek have used double soleil in this collection previously in aqua blue, but the new version presents it in Victory Green instead, a tint applied via PVD. It’s a rich, British Racing Green-adjacent tone inspired by the idea of laurel wreaths given to winners, hence the name victory.
Beyond the guilloché, the Faubourg De Cracovie “Crossroads” Victory Green has a practical chronograph display. It has a 12-hour subdial at 9 o’clock, a 30-minute subdial at 3, both of which are snailed, then there’s small seconds at 6 intersecting with the date window. Around the periphery of the display is a tachymeter scale, allowing you to calculate speed or distance with ease – by either calculating how long it takes to cross a known distance or by travelling at a certain speed for a certain time, using everyone’s favourite Speed = Distance/Time formula.
The movement powering all those functions is the SXH3, developed by Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier specifically for Czapek. It has COSC chronometer certification, a 65-hour power reserve and hi-beat 5 Hz frequency. You can view it through the exhibition caseback with its bevelled bridges and rose gold skeleton rotor.
The Faubourg De Cracovie “Crossroads” Victory Green Chronograph is a limited edition of just 18 pieces at CHF 32,000 excl. tax (approx. £30,170). I’m still dreaming of the day we see a sub-£10k Czapek because it would become an instant collector classic, but I suspect that might not be on the cards without sacrificing the level of handcrafted detail and finishing that makes Czapek so popular to begin with.
Price and Specs:
More details at Czapek.
Beautiful watch. Great dial and colourway. I particularly like the fact that it doesn’t have rod style chrono pushers that let down many chronographs, the buttons are integrated into the crown protector, simply lovely and elegant.
Hard to fault this watch, with the exception of the pricetag.