Czapek & Cie Place Vendôme Collection, New Models: Etincelles and Ombres

During the Baselworld exhibition, Czapek & Cie has launched two special luxurious editions of its Place Vendôme watch, featuring a tourbillon and a GMT function.

The model called “Ombres,” or “shadows,” comes in a grade 5 titanium. It is not only lighter on the wrist, but has a rugged, faintly greyish tint that creates an elemental feeling. The case stretchers have been carefully machined and sandblasted.

The watch face, delicately framed by a thinner bezel, is anchored at the lower end by the suspended tourbillon at 8 o’clock and the second time zone at 4 o’clock. Between the two is the day/night indicator in the second time zone. At 12 o’clock, the time giving dial stares from a sombre dial, justifying the name of the model.

The second watch in this special edition is as different in style as day and night. “Etincelles,” or sparks, earns its name from a train of seventy-two baguette diamonds that grace the bezel and cascade onto the lugs.

They illuminate the watch and highlight the alabaster whiteness of the enamel dial, further accentuating the light that sparkles at each movement of the wrist. They also turn the watch into an elegant dress timepiece for special occasions.

The 43,5-millimeter model comes in a platinum case that has retained all the features of the original Place Vendôme, notably the refined Fleur de Lys hands on the main watch dial.

Etincelles and Ombres are driven by the tried-and-true, hand-wound SXH2 Czapek proprietary movement developed with Chronode. This elegant engine can be seen through the transparent case back. Ombres will be in a limited edition of 25 pieces, whereas Etincelles will come in a limited edition of 10 pieces.

Technical details

Model: Place Vendôme Etincelles [Platinum case, Tourbillon & GMT function, Black enamel dial, Fleur de Lys hands, 72 baguette-cut diamonds, Limited edition to 10 pieces]

Functions
Hours and minutes on separate dial located at 12 o’clock
One-minute tourbillon located at 8 o’clock
Second time zone on subdial at 4 o’clock, turning counterclockwise
Day/night indicator located at 6, turning counterclockwise
Power reserve: off-centred disk, located at 12, turn on 90° on 60h, winding counter clockwise

Movement
Calibre SXH2: Haute Horlogerie proprietary mechanical hand-wound movement developed by Chronode and Czapek & Cie
Power reserve: 60 hours with one barrel spring
Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 VpH)
Diameter: 34.8 mm – 15 ½ lines
Height: 9.8 mm

Finish
Front: anthracite sand-blasted plate, steel bridges with sandblasting, blue screw on tourbillon
Back: open ratchet with circular bevelling, sandblasted bridges, final “chamfering” by hand

Case
Platinum Pt950 case
43.5 mm diameter
Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Sapphire crystal case back with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Water-resistance: 30 meters (3 atm)
Bezel set with 48 baguettes-cut diamonds (1.772 carats)
Carrure set with 24 baguette-cut diamonds (1.059 carats)

Bracelet
Alligator strap with Platinum buckle

Dial
White enamel ring, steel polished bridges and sandblasted plate
Czapek typical elongated Roman numerals
Fleur de Lys hands in “Bluegold”

International Retail Price
215’000 CHF

Model: Place Vendôme Ombres [Titanium grade 5 case, Tourbillon & GMT function, Smoky grey brass champlevé dial, Limited edition to 25 pieces]

Functions
Hours and minutes on separate dial located at 12 o’clock
One-minute tourbillon located at 8 o’clock
Second time zone on subdial at 4 o’clock, turning counterclockwise
Day/night indicator located at 6, turning counterclockwise
Power reserve: off-centred disk, located at 12, turning on 90° on 60h, winding counter clockwise

Movement
Calibre SXH2: Haute Horlogerie proprietary mechanical hand-wound movement developed by Chronode and Czapek & Cie
Power reserve: 60 hours with one barrel spring
Frequency: 3 Hz (21,600 VpH)
Diameter: 34.8 mm – 15 ½ lines
Height: 9.8 mm

Finish
Front: anthracite sand-blasted plate, steel bridges with sandblasting, blue screw on tourbillon
Back: open ratchet with circular bevelling, sandblasted bridges, final “chamfering” by hand

Case
Titanium grade 5 case
43.5 mm diameter
Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Sapphire crystal case back with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
Water-resistance: 50 meters (5 atm)

Bracelet
Alligator strap with Titanium buckle

Dial
Black enamel ring, steel polished bridges and sandblasted plate
Arrow hands in white gold and superluminova

International Retail Price
88’000 CHF