Three Movements. One Colour. Unbeatable Value.
Belgian-Swiss independent Czapek & Cie arrives at W&W 2026 with a trio of Antarctique references rebuilt in titanium and unified by the brand's proprietary "Cosmic Blue" — originally developed for the very first Antarctique Tourbillon, and now deployed across three movement architectures. The result is the most coherent and value-compelling collection statement from any independent watchmaker at this year's fair.
Model 1: Antarctique Dark Sector — Calibre SXH5 (In-House)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 40.5mm × 10.6mm / 38.5mm × 10.6mm |
| Case | Grade 5 titanium, velouté finish |
| Dial | Cosmic Blue; curved applied elements, gaps form hour markers |
| Movement | Calibre SXH5 — in-house automatic |
| Rotor | Off-centred recycled platinum micro-rotor |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph (4 Hz) |
| Power reserve | 60 hours (single barrel) |
| Price | CHF 32,000 |
Model 2: Antarctique Révélation — Calibre SXH7 (In-House Skeleton)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 40.5mm / 38.5mm titanium |
| Movement | Calibre SXH7 — in-house, skeletonised, reversed escapement visible on dial side |
| Price | CHF 42,000 |
Model 3: Antarctique Tourbillon — Calibre 9 (In-House Flying Tourbillon)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case | 40.5mm titanium |
| Movement | Calibre 9 — in-house self-winding flying tourbillon |
| Gear train | Vertically aligned |
| Rotor | 18K gold |
| Power reserve | 100 hours |
| Limited to | 25 pieces |
| Price | CHF 67,000 |
The Value Argument — By the Numbers
To understand why CHF 67,000 for the Czapek Tourbillon is extraordinary, compare:
| Brand | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Czapek | Antarctique Tourbillon (in-house, titanium, 100h PR, 25 pcs) | CHF 67,000 |
| IWC | Portugieser Tourbillon | ~CHF 95,000 |
| Patek Philippe | Calatrava Tourbillon 5180 | ~CHF 145,000 |
| Audemars Piguet | Royal Oak Tourbillon (entry) | ~CHF 155,000 |
Czapek has never purchased an external movement. The SXH calibre family was developed entirely in their manufacture. This is not a compromise — it is a deliberate, independent watchmaking choice that delivers flying tourbillon craftsmanship at 43% of IWC's entry price.
The Cosmic Blue + Titanium Effect
Cosmic Blue is a bespoke in-house surface treatment. In titanium it reads differently than in steel — cooler, more metallic, with a shift toward the electric end of the blue spectrum. It shifts with light: almost navy in shade, saturated electric blue in direct sun. All three models share the colour but diverge dramatically in dial architecture — structured Dark Sector, open skeletal Révélation, ceremonial Tourbillon.
Freddy's Verdict
This is Freddy's top pick of W&W 2026 Day 1 for value. A flying tourbillon, 100-hour power reserve, full in-house manufacture, titanium case, limited to 25 pieces — at CHF 67,000. If you have that budget for a tourbillon, there is no more compelling argument available today. The Révélation at CHF 42,000 with its reversed skeletonised escapement is the second-best value in independent watchmaking right now. Don't sleep on Czapek.
