Czapek Drops the Antarctique Rattrapante an inverted split-second chronograph

When it came to developing its first split-second chronograph Czapek & Cie didn’t take the easy route, deciding to create the first inverted rattrapante.

Working with movement and complication specialist, Chronode, Czapek was able to realise a project that has been in development since the Czapek name was revived in 2015. François Czapek was the 17th Century watchmaker first associated with Antoine Norbert de Patek, before he went on to form Patek Philippe with Jean Adrien Philippe.

Chronode developed a split-second movement module that could be mounted on the dial side of the SHX6 movement, rather than the reverse as is more customary, to allow the wearer to see the complicated mechanics involved in simultaneously timing two separate events.

“We loved the idea of being able to control time, stop it and then catch up”, says Xavier de Roquemaurel. “Plus, we would place this module on the dial side and give the wearer full visual access to the ballet of cams, levers and wheels.”

The resulting watch, the Antarctique Rattrapante, shows the module’s two column wheels, one for the chronograph at the 12 o’clock position and one for the split-second mechanism at the six o’clock.

The 42.5mm stainless steel watch also features Czapek’s signature twin sub dials at the four and seven o’clock, chronograph minutes and small seconds respectively, whilst making use of the Antarctique collection’s integrated metal bracelet with stylised “letter C” mid-links.

Just 77 pieces are being made, available from September 2, with Czapek taking a traditional souscription deposit on the $51,900 USD watch ahead of delivery.

In other watch news, Moser brings its perpetual calendar to the sporty Streamliner.