Antarctique Sashiko Azure

Availability: see it at 430 Park Avenue

• Limited Edition: 99 pieces
• Case: steel with screw-down crown
• Size: 38.5 mm x 10.6 mm
• Movement: Calibre SXH5 Czapek's in-house self-winding mechanical movement
• Function: Hours, minutes and seconds
• Water Resistance: 120 m
• Dial: Light Blue flinqué dial with Japanese embroidery-inspired pattern, Luminescent markers
• Hands: Luminescent, steel “Sword” hands
• Strap/Bracelet: Integrated stainless steel bracelet with Czapek exclusive “Easy Release” system and micro-adjustment device. Additional calf leather or rubber strap

The ‘Sashiko’ dial pays homage to the geometric lines and three-dimensionality of the traditional Japanese stitching of the same name, developed in Japan during the Edo period. The three-dimensional stamped pattern – based on a stylised lotus flower spotted and chosen by Marie-Alix de Roquemarel – is achieved by repeating squares set at 45 degrees to perpendicular, each comprising six facets. As the light plays across the dial,  the blue dial changes from the clear colour of a springtime sky to the greyer tone of autumn.

The SXH5.01 automatic caliber is entirely conceived in-house by Czapek and made with the help directed by Czapek in the We Collect Rare People spirit. The microrotor, placed off-center allows a plunging view into its exceptional architecture. A free-sprung balance wheel with variable inertia provided by four gold adjustable weights enables the highest level of precision tuning. The gear train is held in place by a series of seven handsome skeletonized bridges. Their shape is inspired on one side by XIX century pocket watches, and by the Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph’s rotor. The movement has superlative finishing on the bridges that merges ‘haute horlogerie’ angling techniques with state-ot-the-art laser engravings.