PLACE VENDÔME COMPLICITÉ STARDUST

Created in collaboration with independent master watchmaker Bernhard Lederer, the Czapek Place Vendôme Complicité Stardust is breathtaking in both its technical and its aesthetic arrangement. Boasting the rarity of two independent escapements beating at their own pace, this remarkable wristwatch has a visually rich openworked architecture on the dial side, complemented by a full disclosure on the reverse of the new in-house Calibre 8 movement, which exhibits distinctive signature Lederer features. An excellent example of contemporary Haute Horlogerie, this outstanding edition is one of three Complicité models to be produced in an exclusive release of only 100 pieces in total.

Born from a genuine friendship between Czapek’s CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel and Bernhard Lederer, this exceptional watch is a superb symbiosis. Czapek, already known by discerning collectors throughout the globe for their classic styling and modern-day watchmaking, joining with Lederer who is widely acclaimed as a technical genius among the current generation of horological Masters, has resulted in a momentous timepiece wherein innovative engineering blends harmoniously with aesthetically beautiful finishing.

The Czapek Place Vendôme Complicité Stardust carries a polished 18ct white gold casing measuring 41.8mm across, with a height of 14.8mm. Displaying brushed and polished finishing it has recesses on the sides of the lugs and the flowing curvaceous case sides heighten the pleasure of its rounded profile. The box sapphire crystal protrudes beyond the case adding further to the view on the dial side, but equally, offering a wonderful distortion when viewed from the side.

The technical principle of the double escapement regulator is that with two balance wheels beating independently of each other, and with the power delivered from a single barrel via a differential, that any variation in rate from gravity or other factors will be cancelled out resulting in greater accuracy. A rare arrangement in watchmaking today, nonetheless the motion of twin balances is endlessly fascinating, and even more so, with Czapek's Place Vendôme Complicité Stardust, whose openworked architecture gives the wearer an uninterrupted view of the ballet of the micro-mechanics.

Adhering to the pyramid-style equipoise of the original Place Vendôme model, the escapements are positioned at 7.30 and 4.30, with the differential that connects them positioned at noon. Openworked triangular bridges rise up to clasp the balances, while ingeniously, two sapphire bridges for the gear train ensure that nothing is obscured. Giving additional balance to the layout, a power reserve indication is positioned at the six o’clock location.

Czapek are meticulous when it comes to finishing and on this piece it is superb, with a satin technique used on the flange and matte grainé showcased upon the cool grey tone of the baseplate. The openworked, sword-shaped hour and minutes are accompanied by a red tipped seconds hand, and together with the applied gold plated hour markers they are enhanced with luminescent coating, while a power reserve indicator is positioned at the six o'clock position.

Inside the watch, the new in-house Calibre 8 has been developed and manufactured in collaboration with Bernhard Lederer, and in honour of the collaboration it integrates the Master’s innovative crown wheel mechanism enabling ultra smooth winding of the manually wound movement. Beating at 21’600 vib/h, the movement achieves a 72 hour reserve of power, and while its character is entirely contemporary, the finishing is immaculate, with hand-bevelling on 18 inward angles. Uniquely, and entirely in the spirit of the mutual respect between Czapek's Xavier de Roquemarel and Bernard Lederer, the calibre is inscribed ‘Calibre 8 A Friendship Story’.

Presented on a black alligator leather strap, secured with an 18ct white gold folding buckle, the Czapek Place Vendôme Complicité Stardust is one of three Complicité versions, with the entire production limited to only 100 pieces.