Czapek CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel on pandemic pains and suffering from success

Fergus Nash

It’s every independent watchmaker’s dream to become an overnight success when they start out, but few will consider the real-world implications. For one of the three men who resurrected Czapek in 2011, CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel, he probably didn’t expect there to be a literal resurrection involved. After 10 years of manufacturing on a small scale, with no more than 160 pieces produced in a year, the release of the Czapek Antarctique saw interest in the small company boom. Between the stress of keeping the brand afloat throughout the pandemic and dealing with nearly tenfold the amount of orders coming in, Xavier de Roquemaurel wound up in hospital with a tear in his aorta. You can hear him tell the story in his own words, along with why Czapek has captured the hearts of enthusiasts, when Andrew caught up with him during Geneva Watch Days 2023.

Czapek has its origins in the 19th century with François Czapek, who was born in modern-day Czechia and lived in Poland before moving to Geneva in 1832. He partnered up with Antoni Patek (of Patek Philippe fame) for six years before embarking on Czapek & Cie. adventures, where their watches were supplied to the likes of first French president Napoleon III. Not much is known about why the company faded into obscurity around the 1870s, but it is likely because of Czapek’s death.

The modern brand originally paid tribute to those early pocket watch designs, however modern elegance and beauty soon took centre stage. Although they’ve expanded their ranges to include wonders like the Faubourg de Cracovie with a starry aventurine dial, it’s their Antarctique line that has captured the imaginations of collectors. Czapek are trying to increase their production capacity as quickly as possible, but due to their high quality and sourcing of movements from the likes of Vaucher and even in-house developments, the turnaround time can be up to two years.