Czapek is returning to its roots in Geneva with the opening of a new flagship at Quai des Bergues 27, the historic address where François Czapek established one of his earliest major watchmaking workshops in the 19th century. Marking the Maison’s return to the quay, the independent Swiss watchmaker has unveiled two limited-edition timepieces that draw on its contemporary collections while highlighting its watchmaking expertise: the Place Vendôme Complicité Glacier Blue in platinum, limited to 10 pieces, and the Quai des Bergues “Midnight in Geneva,” which returns in a new 40.5mm stainless-steel case.
Back to the Quai des Bergues
Czapek is making a grand return to one of its most significant addresses in history. Located at Quai des Bergues 27 in Geneva, the contemporary Maison has unveiled a new flagship boutique. This location holds special significance as it is where François Czapek established his first major watchmaking workshop in the 19th century. To commemorate this momentous occasion, the independent brand is introducing two exclusive limited editions: the Quai des Bergues “Midnight in Geneva” featuring a new 40.5mm stainless-steel case, and the Place Vendôme Complicité Glacier Blue, limited to only 10 pieces in platinum.
For Czapek, the new flagship is more than a retail location. The address recalls the period when François Czapek and other Geneva-based cabinotiers developed high-end watches in workshops on the upper floors of buildings along the quay, making use of the natural light while remaining removed from the noise of the city. The boutique’s interior takes a deliberately contemporary approach. Developed with design agency Live Teams, the space combines raw stone walls with American walnut furniture and midnight-blue Alcantara. Rather than separating customers from the watches with a traditional counter, the layout uses shared tables and open display stands.
Place Vendôme Complicité in Glacier Blue
The first of the two new creations is the Place Vendôme Complicité Glacier Blue, a 10-piece limited edition presented in a 41.8mm platinum 950 case. The watch continues the collaboration between Czapek CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel and master watchmaker Bernhard Lederer, whose shared passion for independent watchmaking gave rise to the Complicité concept. At its heart is the manually wound Calibre 8, whose distinctive architecture brings together two independent balance wheels oscillating in opposite directions. Each balance is governed by its own escapement, while a differential positioned at 12 o’clock combines their rates and compensates for variations between the two regulating systems. The Breguet terminal curves on the balance springs are individually tuned to keep the two regulating systems working in concert. Two sapphire bridges further expose the gear train and are secured with six rubies set in gold chatons. 4
The movement is fully exposed on the dial side, with a light "Glacier"-blue PVD-treated, grained main plate providing a beautiful backdrop for the faceted, mirror-polished rhodium-plated indexes and partially skeletonized sword hands. Comprising 293 components, the Calibre 8 offers a 72-hour power reserve, indicated between the two balance wheels.
On the reverse, the hand-finishing becomes particularly apparent, with hand-beveled bridges and main plate alongside 18 inward angles that are individually hand-chamfered. Completing the watch is an alligator strap with a platinum pin buckle mounted on a titanium folding clasp. Limited to ten pieces, the watch carries a retail price before taxes of $144,200.
The Quai des Bergues “Midnight in Geneva” Returns in 40.5mm
The second piece presented for the opening of Czapek’s new Geneva flagship is the Quai des Bergues “Midnight in Geneva.” First introduced in 2019 to mark the opening of the Maison’s first modern-day Geneva boutique, the limited edition returns with a more compact 40.5mm stainless-steel case while retaining the dark-blue aventurine dial and proprietary hand-wound Calibre SXH1 of its predecessor. The curved case retains the characteristic Czapek profile and distinctive lug geometry, while subtle refinements to the case-side recesses accommodate the movement. The lugs have also been reshaped to ensure a comfortable fit across a range of wrist sizes.
The dark-blue aventurine dial, the defining visual feature, boasts a domed surface adorned with the material’s characteristic mineral-like shimmer. This shimmering effect creates a deep, starry appearance, aptly named “Midnight in Geneva.” This marks the first time Czapek has employed the aventurine dial in the 40.5mm format. The creation for this watch is particularly demanding due to the recessed displays for the small seconds at 7:30 and the power-reserve indicator at 4:30. Instead of machining recesses into the delicate aventurine, Czapek ingeniously cuts through the dial and positions the sub dials on the underlying metal plate, which is just 0.4mm thick. This approach ensures the integrity of the aventurine while achieving the required depth. Elongated Roman numerals enhance the classical Czapek aesthetic, while silver powder-coated steel Fleur-de-Lys hands indicate the hours and minutes. The power-reserve display incorporates English weekdays, adding a practical calendar function to the seven-day mechanism.
The watch is powered by Czapek’s proprietary Calibre SXH1, a manually wound haute horlogerie movement that stands at 4.75mm in height and operates at a frequency of 3 Hz, or 21,600 vibrations per hour. Its two barrel springs provide an impressive power reserve of over 168 hours, or seven days. In true Czapek fashion, the finishing is a testament to craftsmanship, featuring sandblasted bridges and main plate, double open ratchets, heat-blued screws, beveling, and final hand-chamfering. Circular graining and snailing are applied to the wheels, adding intricate details that are visible through the sapphire case back. The Quai des Bergues “Midnight in Geneva” is limited to 18 pieces and priced, before taxes, at $28,600.
Images: Courtesy Brand
This story first appeared on watchtime.com and has been edited before publishing here
This story first appeared on watchtime.com and has been edited before publishing here
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