Amongst the plethora of iconic brands within the watchmaking industry, few have the ability to create timepieces quite to the level of the independent watchmaker Czapek. Founded in 1845 by one of Patek Philippe's original founders, Czapek's long heritage as a watchmaker for nobility and royals has ingrained a longstanding tradition within the brand to create some of the finest watches on the market, a tradition that still rings true to this day. Case and point is their sports model, the Antarctique. Inspired by a trip to Antarctica that one of the company's historical shareholders took, the Antarctique stands as a monument to Czapek’s dedication to the preservation of nature and Swiss watchmaking’s traditional crafts. Named in tribute to the English explorer Sir Francis Drake who crossed it in 1578, the Drake Passage connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans between Cape Horn (the southernmost point of South American) and the South Shetland Islands of the Antarctic. Named after that treacherous patch of sea, the Antarctique Passage de Drake Roaring Forties was launched in 2020 as a limited edition variant of the Antarctique with 40 pieces made. Featuring a stunning grey dial with red accents and a stamped “flinqué” finish, the Antarctique’s display is subtle and understated. Made of stainless steel featuring Czapek’s own in-house automatic cal. SXH5 with some truly incredible hand-finishing and an ingenious quick-release system on its bracelet, the Antarctique is a superb sports watch in and of itself, but with its stunning grey dial and “Stairway to Eternity” motif, the variant we have here is all the more superb and stunning.

The watch is in overall excellent condition. The stainless steel case has some light scratches and a couple of small nicks along the lug edges. The display case back features very well-defined engravings around the perimeter. The movement has slight oil seepage visible on some of the bridges. The dial and hands are like new. The watch is fitted with a rubber strap and steel deployant clasp, both in excellent condition. It also comes with a stainless steel bracelet and an additional link, also in excellent condition. The full set includes boxes, strap-changing tool, rubber strap cutter, guarantee, and booklet.

An extremely exclusive watch from an independent watchmaker famed for its low production numbers, exquisite craftsmanship, and intriguing designs, the Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake has everything a watch lover would want in a luxury timepiece.