Revived in 2015, Czapek owes its name to the famous Czech-born Polish watchmaker who co-founded Patek, Czapek & Cie in 1839 and then went solo with his own company in 1845. In just over a decade, Czapek has developed 10 in-house movements spread across its five main families. The Promenade collection, unveiled in 2024, fills the gap between the sportier Antarctique and the more classic Quai des Bergues and was conceived as a “canvas for creative expression”. Distinguished by its compact dimensions and eccentric small seconds at 4:30, the Promenade showcases different artisanal techniques. Inspired by the inaugural steel model with a blue Goutte d’Eau dial, Czapek releases the Goutte de Rosée (dewdrop), a mesmerising, intense green enamel version in yellow gold.
Produced by enamel dial specialist Donzé Cadrans, the dial features a series of ripples emanating from the centre of the small seconds sub-dial, expanding across the dial in concentric circles. To achieve the stunning depth and shifting light patterns, the silver base plate is struck with a stamping die with a 3D wave motif machined directly into the die. Each strike of the press embosses the topography into the metal. However, as the brand points out, the composition of green enamel can interact unpredictably with the silver base, leading to adhesion issues and surface blemishes.
The intense, captivating shade of green, which could be confused with malachite, is applied by hand to the embossed base, a tricky task given the uneven topography. To create the perception of shifting colour and the dynamic rippling effect, the thickness of the enamel varies from 0.5mm in the deepest recesses to just 0.2mm on the crests. As the brand points out, rejection rates for the Goutte de Rosée rose from an average of 25% to 50% because of the varying enamel thickness. Following the eight firings in a very hot kiln (hence the name Grand Feu – great fire) at 800°C, the enamel is polished to achieve a smooth, lustrous finish and is protected by a glassbox sapphire crystal.
The compact and polished 38mm case with a height of 10.8mm features stylish recessed flanks with sandblasted interiors and is now crafted in warm 18k yellow gold. The reverse side reveals Czapek’s in-house automatic calibre SXH5.1 with a platinum micro-rotor, a contemporary 4Hz frequency and 60-hour power reserve. The seven skeletonised bridges pay tribute to François Czapek’s pocket watches.
The Promenade Goutte de Rosée is paired with a shiny green alligator strap. It is a limited edition of 25 pieces and will be available from 26 May 2026, with deliveries starting in June. It retails for CHF 32,000, EUR 34,600 or USD 44,800 (excl. tax). More information at czapek.com.