Introducing a new sportier dial layout to the portfolio, the Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads Secret Alloy model is an evolution of the company’s acclaimed chronograph series. A significant historical Swiss watch brand, the prestigious name Czapek Genève was engendered through a six year partnership between Czech watchmaker François Czapek and Antoine Norbert de Patek between 1839 and 1846, when the two fellow countrymen, newly arrived in Switzerland, set up a company to create finely crafted masterpieces for the courts and palaces of Europe’s premier citizens. Re-awakened and re-launched onto the watchmaking landscape in 2015, Czapek continue to preserve the legacy of its illustrious past with a portfolio of classically inspired but contemporary watches, each manufactured to exacting Haute Horlogerie standards.

The model carries a round 41.5mm case of stainless steel. Exhibiting an elegant presence on the wrist, it  features discreet case hugging chrono pushers. Beneath the box-style sapphire crystal a stunning métiers d’art dial is revealed. Meticulously engraved by a hand operated lathe at the Metalem atelier, the mesmerising deeply cut motif, which recalls tyre tread markings is rendered onto a dial base of Secret Alloy 401 which has been developed exclusively for Czapek, giving a supreme light reflecting effect to the surface. For this exclusive piece, the material is left untoned, enhancing the raw purity of its appearance.

In contrast, the snailed silver chronograph counters at the three and nine o’clock stand out superbly, and a subtle small seconds with date is located at the six. Adhering to the motor racing styling of the piece, a concave black tachymeter scale at the perimeter is accompanied by a silver-toned minutes track, and with perfectly proportioned blued steel arrow-tipped hands, and applied indices, the layout is complete.

The Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads Secret Alloy watch is powered by the Czapek SXH3 proprietary self winding movement which has been designed by specialist Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, and which is COSC certified for precision. A sapphire caseback reveals the gold oscillating weight and the openworked architecture of the anthracite plate, beneath which can be seen the pulsing balance and where the column wheel, vertical clutch and linear hammer chronograph mechanism are integral to the calibre. Fully wound, its single barrel is good for some sixty-five hours of reserve, and it beats at 36’000 vph.