Czapek introduces stone dials from Mount Erebus, an active volcano in the Antarctic in their Antarctique collection in two flavours of gold and three stone combinations.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Czapek Antarctique now with Mount Erebus rare stone dials
The pricing of the Antarcqueue Mount Erebus rare stone dials are as follows:
- 5N rose gold with lapis lazuli dial CHF 66,000 in either gold bracelet options. CHF 39,000 in blue alligator and CHF 43,000 in blue rubber strap.
- 5N rose gold with falcon eye dial CHF 62,000 in either gold bracelet options. CHF 35,000 in black alligator and CHF 39,000 in black rubber strap.
- 2N yellow gold with green lacquered meteorite dial CHF 63,000 in either gold bracelet options and CHF 39,400 with matching rubber strap.
Limited to 10 dials per year in each stone.
Commentary
The fascinating world of stone dials make its way to Czapek, and is introduced in the Antarctique collection. Three novelties are released, two in 5N rose gold, and one in 2N yellow gold. Each feature a different stone which is selected from the collection of Gemmes-Tech. We visited Gemmes-Tech with Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek in November last year. We will also add that GT Cadrans is also the source of stone dials for the biggest names in the industry, as they offer full suite of offerings from raw stones, selection, cutting, polishing and final delivery of the dials.
The three stones are the green meteorite, the falcon eye and the lapis lazuli. All the stones are from Mount Erebus, a still active volcano in Antarctica. As we write this, we understand the green meteorite, which is our favourite is already sold out for this production run. With the other two variants in the falcon eye and lapis lazuli still available.
Other aspects of the watch is full Antarctique, and remain unchanged. Including all the dimensions and the movements. The watches are offered either with a rubber strap, alligator strap or two different options for the solid gold bracelets – one with polished links and another which is fully brushed.
Release details
Czapek & Cie enriches its Antarctique Mount Erebus collection with three new timepieces in precious gold. Building on the success of its sport-chic high horology line and powered by the in-house SXH5 automatic caliber, the new models celebrate the encounter between rare stones and watchmaking craftsmanship.
Named after Mount Erebus, Antarctica’s active volcano known to release microscopic gold particles in its volcanic plume, the line pays homage to a natural phenomenon that inspired Czapek to dedicate the Antarctique Mount Erebus to precious-gold executions. Just as volcanic forces shape the Earth’s hidden treasures, these timepieces celebrate rare materials transformed into works of art.
The first of the new creations is the Antarctique Mount Erebus Lapis Lazuliin rose gold, featuring a dial carved from lapis lazuli. It is joined by the Antarctique Mount Erebus Falcon Eye, also in rose gold, whose dial is crafted from falcon eye quartz. Completing the line is the Antarctique Mount Erebus Green Meteorin yellow gold, adorned with a lacquered green Gibeon meteorite dial– a continuation of the highly sought-after steel edition unveiled last year.
“When I visited our partner Gemmes-Tech and first saw these stones in their raw form, I was fascinated by their colors” recalls Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie. “The deep lapis lazuli with its golden sparkles, the shimmering reflections of the falcon eye, and the extraterrestrial geometry of meteorite are nature’s own works of art. It is humbling to transform them into watch dials and seeing the beauty of the contrast between the gold hue and the colours of the stones. Working with such fragile materials is demanding, but it is this fragility and unpredictability that makes each piece unique, dynamic, and alive.”
Czapek’s philosophy, encapsulated in the motto “We Collect Rare People”, also guides its approach to rare materials. Each stone dial carries its own singularity, making every watch unique. The lapis lazuli chosen for the Antarctique Mount Erebus is carefully selected for its deep electric blue, punctuated with discreet golden sparkles of pyrite. This opaque mineral belongs to the silicate family and is mainly composed of lazurite (which gives the intense blue), pyrite (responsible for golden specks), and calcite (which appears as white veins).
Working with lapis lazuli is a delicate process. The stone requires a rigorous selection, as its quality and rarity depend on the intensity of the blue and the minimal presence of pyrite or calcite. Cutting and polishing are complex: while its machinability is of medium difficulty, shaping it without fracture is a true challenge. The result, however, is a dial that harmonizes magnificently with the warmth of rose gold, creating a timeless, elegant contrast.
The falcon eye used in the collection is sourced from South Africa, and it is one of the most demanding stones to master. Known for its mesmerizing interplay of bluish, anthracite-gray, and golden hues, falcon eye is a microcrystalline quartz that has undergone a transformation process: over time, crocidolite fibers are replaced by quartz, preserving the fibrous structure while altering its composition.
This internal structure, however, makes the material extremely fragile. Out of five dials cut, only one emerges flawless. Czapek deliberately selected stones with orangish stripes and inclusions, emphasizing that beauty lies in imperfection. The resulting dials are vibrant, alive, and truly one-of-a-kind.
The Green Meteor dial is the only new dial not crafted from stone, but from Gibeon meteorite sourced in Namibia. Its crystalline Widmanstätten patterns, revealed by acid etching and then covered with a translucent green lacquer, create a dial of otherworldly texture and depth. First presented in a steel case, the model drew significant attention and many collector requests; Czapek now responds with a yellow gold version, which magnifies the richness of the material. While the meteorite dial tone in the steel version had a green-blueish hue, the Mount Erebus Green Meteor dial is warmer, perfectly matching with the radiant beauty of the 2N yellow gold.
All three dials are produced in collaboration with Gemmes-Tech, a Swiss atelier specialized in crafting dials from hard stones.
Launched in 2024, the Antarctique Mount Erebus line explores a bolder expression of the Antarctique, bringing together noble metals, contemporary sport-chic design, and the SXH5 caliber, the first movement fully conceived in-house by Czapek.
While the Mount Erebus Lapis Lazuli and the Falcon Eye will be limited by production to 10 pieces per year, the Green Meteor will be a limited edition of 8 pieces only.
