Boasting a superb salmon coloured dial with beautiful hand guilloché engraving, and a bespoke self winding integrated chronograph movement, the Faubourg de Cracovie King by Czapek is a striking and distinctive watch, which combines the traditions and skills of old school traditional watchmaking with contemporary innovation and technology.

The Faubourg de Cracovie “Salmon” collection is comprised of four editions of eighteen pieces, distinguished by their colourful and elaborately decorated dials, and classic chronograph configuration. Measuring 41.5mm across the round stainless steel case has hollowed sides and sloping chronograph pushers which are neatly integrated into the crown protection, resulting in a clean and unspoiled profile.

The tall side of the box style sapphire glass adds height and a circle of refraction as it turns in, as beneath it, the subtle dome of the spectacular bombé dial accentuates the rose engine turned guilloché. Using a proprietary precious alloy of gold, platinum, palladium and silver, deeply engraved overlapping circles radiate across its surface creating a mesmerising Résonance pattern which emanates from the contrasting snailed recessed subdials. Against its rosy-brass matte colour, the blued steel hands and hour markers, accented with white Super LumiNova, provide a perfect complement.

On command, the red tipped central seconds pointer begins a smooth sweep, while the subdials at the three and the nine display the thirty minute and twelve hour chronograph counters. The small constant seconds and date window at the six complete the functions.

Inside, and visible through the sapphire caseback, the Calibre SXH3 self winding movement is state of the art contemporary Haute Horlogerie. The skeletonised gold oscillating mass rotates above open plates in sandblasted anthracite grey with diamond polished anglage. Bespoke to Czapek, the beautifully engineered integrated chronograph movement is designed by complications specialist Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, and features linear hammer and vertical clutch innovations, delivering a smooth activation and resetting of the chronograph function. Beating at 5Hz, or 36’000vph, it is COSC chronometer certified and from a single barrel, its 65 hour power reserve is impressive.

Presented on a black alligator leather strap with folding clasp, the Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie King is a really good looking piece which is noticeable and individual, with meticulous hand craftsmanship inside and out,