The Czapek Antarctique Révélation opens its heart to watch aficionados
D.C. Hannay- Czapek has expanded their best-selling integrated Antarctique line with the stunning open-worked Révélation
- The new in-house SXH7 auto-winding movement is an evolution of their SXH5, completely reworked for maximum visual impact on both sides
- The Révélation is also the first non-chrono Antarctique with a skeletonised dial
Open-worked dials can be one of the most thrilling sights to a watch collector, but great care must be taken so that the view is actually worth looking at. A poorly conceived design or shoddy execution, and you end up with something resembling, to borrow a phrase from my UK friends, “a dog’s breakfast”. That is decidedly not the case with Czapek’s new Antarctique Révélation, just released at Watches & Wonders.
It’s clear that every detail was carefully considered, to the point that an entirely new movement was developed when it was determined that Czapek’s previous caliber could be redesigned to improve aesthetics. That’s dedication. In fact, the Révélation is also the first non-chrono Antarctique with a skeletonised dial. So how did they do? Here’s a look at Czapek’s striking new Antarctique Révélation.
Since the Big Story of the Antarctique Révélation is the dial and the movement underneath, we’ll start there. I’ve seen many open-worked dials, and the best ones strike a balance between a view of an attractive movement and functional legibility. Czapek has achieved both here. Starting on the outer dial edge, the minute track is rendered in smoked sapphire, as is the small seconds subdial. The rhodium-plated hour indices are mounted on that outer ring, clearly visible without being obtrusive. It’s a functional design that knows that the real show is happening just behind.
It took Czapek three years to reengineer their SXH5 movement to the point where they deemed it ideal for a skeletonised model. The result is the SXH7, and the changes made it as attractive from the front as it was from the back. In a nutshell, part of the movement was inverted, the platinum micro-rotor was now engraved on both sides, the main plate open-worked, and the crown mechanism redesigned to accommodate the necessity of repositioning the second hand away from the centre. The result is an open-worked timepiece that’s gorgeous from either side, with some truly nice hand-bevelling, and bridges finished in a sandblasted black. The movement runs at 4Hz, has 25 jewells, and a power reserve of 60 hours.
The 40.5mm integrated case retains the familiar Antarctique design language, still very on trend given the popularity of such models. A unique touch is the well-done radial brushing on the top, which looks to my eyes like a callback to the ‘70s, and I personally find it very appealing. It’s retro and forward-leaning all at once. As an added bonus, the Révélation features a screwdown crown, and is water resistant to 120 metres.
The case flows nicely into the tapering of the bracelet, which features alternating brushed and polished links, the polished ones sporting a sort of squared “U” design. With such a great-looking bracelet, it’s hard to imagine ever swapping it out, but if you so desire, there’s a quick-release system to make it easier. I personally prefer the bracelet on most integrated designs, but Czapek includes your choice of calf leather or rubber straps as a second option included with your order.
Czapek Antarctique Révélation pricing and availability:
The Czapek Antarctique Révélation is open for preorders, limited to 100 pieces a year, and priced at CHF38,000, with first deliveries beginning in 2025.
| Brand | Czapek |
| Model | Antarctique Révélation |
| Case Dimensions | 40.5mm (D) x 10.6mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 120m |
| Dial | Skeletonised with smoked sapphire |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Bracelet/Strap | Stainless steel, additional strap in choice of calf leather or rubber |
| Movement | Calibre SXH7, skeletonised |
| Power Reserve | 60 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds |
| Availability | Preorders now, limited to 100/year |
| Price | CHF38,000 |