The Ultimate Balance Between Science and Mechanical Poetry

In the mid-nineteenth century, François Czapek opened what it’s assumed to be the first haute horlogerie boutique ever in the world famous square Place Vendôme in Paris. Now Czapek & Cie pays tribute to that feat with the Place Vendôme collection, which features the Tourbillon Suspend «Ici et Ailleurs».

 

“François Czapek was a modern thinker with a deep sense of traditional watchmaking. This watch is no doubt (what) he would have dreamt of, and it connects his thoughts about watchmaking esthetics and techniques to the future.” Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie.

 

The first series—called Lumières in allusion to the reflections flashing off the beveled edges of the bridges on the side of the dial and the Age of Enlightenment, when the tourbillon was born—is a limited edition of ten pieces in platinum and fifteen in rose gold. The timepiece comes in a 43.5 mm diameter, 5N Rose Gold or platinum Pt950 case, with curved sapphire crystal and anti-reflective treatment on both sides. The “fleur de lys” hands point to sleek Roman numerals in the sub-dial located at 12 o’clock, and the day/night indicator located at 6 o’clock is an improvement from previous models.

The Place Vendôme Tourbillon is powered by Caliber SXH2, a mechanical hand-wound movement developed by Chronode and Czapek & Cie; it is water resistant for 30m and offers 60 hours of power reserve.

 

 

Text: ± Photo: Czapek & Cie