While the traditional watch industry is nervously watching the rise of smartwatches, new companies continue to launch, suggesting that the love affair with watches will not end any time soon. An old name is now making a comeback as well. Czapek & Cie., a firm founded in 1845 by François (Francizek) Czapek and Juliusz Gruzewski after the former parted ways with Antoni Patek (who went on to found Patek Philippe in 1851). Czapek’s name faded into obscurity by the end of the 19th century. It was resurrected this year with the unveiling of the new Quai des Bergues collection.
Named after the street where Czapek’s studio was located, the Quai des Bergues is inspired by the company’s own 1850 Reference 3430 pocket watch. Six timepieces make up this first Czapek collection.
Case materials include rose gold, white gold, titanium and stainless steel “XO.” The latter is a more resistant to corrosion version of the steel traditionally used. All six watches sport a dial that includes sub-dials at the 4:30 and 7:30 marks. The former indicates small seconds while the latter can be customized. It can track the day of the week and power reserve in French or English or just the power reserve.
At the watch’s heart is the manually-wound SXH1 movement developed by Chronode. 
It also partnered with Donzé Cadrans for the grand feu enamel dials and with HMS Waeber for the hands.
Czapek Quai des Bergues specifications:
- Movement: manually-wound Czapek SXH1
- Case diameter: 42.5mm
- Case material: Rose gold, white gold, titanium, or stainless steel “XO”
- Case back: Curved sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
- Glass material: Curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Battery/Power reserve: 168 hours (7 days)
- Water resistance: 3ATM (30 meters)
- Complications: Small seconds sub-dial, day of week and power reserve sub-dial
- Strap: Alligagor with deployant buckle
Czapek plans to unveil its next collection as early as next year. The Rue du Rhone promises an “exciting and exclusive interpretation of a well know [sic] complication.” The Place Vendome collection with “a surprising extreme complication” is expected to follow in 2018.
Czapek is also looking for backers to help it further build out the brand. “The purpose of the revived Czapek is to give watch aficionados and collectors a unique opportunity to become personally involved in the revival and ownership of the brand.” The company is offering investment packages that run from CHF2,500 (about US$2,500 or CA$3,500) for 50 shares to CHF50,000 (about US$50,300 or CA$70,200)for 1,000 shares.
As for the Czapek & Cie. Quai des Bergues watch, pricing starts at CHF9,900 (about US$10,000 or CA$14,000) and top out at CHF25,900 (about US$26,100 or CA$36,500).
Source : Czapek