Collaborations between magazines/media and watch manufacturers have become a classic, often resulting in very cool watches with a unique flavor. Today, the Dutch medium steps up its game and presents its third collaboration, not only much more exclusive but also from one of our favorite independent watchmakers. These are the Fratello x Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Viridian Green watches, which will go on sale tomorrow - July 8, at 6 am European time.
Until now, Fratello's two previous collaborative models were dedicated to relatively affordable watches released by Frederique Constant and Oris. But in the third attempt, the Dutch team pursues different goals: high-class watches, mechanically complex and in line with modern trends. Green watches, with a textured dial, on an integrated bracelet, both elegant and robust. Overall, this ensures a great balance between subtlety and boldness.
The foundation for the Fratello x Czapek watches was the Antarctique watches, which surprised the industry in 2020. Czapek is a name with a strong past in watchmaking history. Indeed, as we have told before, Francois Czapek or François Czapek was associated with Antoine Norbert de Patek in creating the watch manufacture known as Patek, Czapek & Cie… which later became one of the most famous brands in the industry, Patek Philippe. The name Czapek was revived in 2015 under the leadership of CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel through an unusual crowdfunding campaign, where watch owners can also become shareholders. The first collections were elegant and high-tech, with a not entirely classic view on traditional watchmaking.
Last year, Czapek introduced completely new watches, a model to compete in the ultra-competitive luxury sports watch market with an integrated bracelet, a category dominated by icons like the Nautilus and Royal Oak. The young independent watch company used its full arsenal in the battle and managed to present a watch with strong arguments. The inaugural Antarctique collection was introduced with great success and sold out faster than the brand probably expected. It will be followed by a new version, the so-called Passage de Drake, with an updated dial and some improvements to the brand's signature (and stunning) automatic movement. This is the foundation Fratello used for its new collaborative watches.
Fratello x Czapek
For these watches, Fratello decided to use several ingredients to create a recipe that will undoubtedly be successful. Everything in these watches is meant to match today's fashion trends. A sporty case; check! Integrated bracelet; check! Textured green dial; check! Beautiful automatic movement; check! Watches that are not easy to get; check! But that's not all, because, truth be told, the team did a great job finding the right balance and creating a watch that is not just a sum of market trends but represents a subtle yet bright thing.
In this new Fratello version, it's all about the dial. The watches themselves are identical in technical specifications and proportions, as well as in the movement beating inside. This means we are still in a beautiful tonneau-shaped case with restrained proportions and exquisite finishing. Its diameter is 40.5 mm with a reasonable height of 11.3 mm (including the crystal). On the wrist, the watch is also quite compact: from lug to lug - only 45 mm. And despite being equipped with a thin and beautifully executed movement, it is perfectly suitable for wearing thanks to its 120 m water resistance.
When the Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake was introduced, they featured a new dial texture and were presented in 4 different colors: silver, grey, blue, and black. Fratello created a new bright and playful color called Viridian green, achieved through a CVD coating process. As for the color, it can be described as a slightly metallic green-blue shade - for history: “Viridian is a blue-green pigment, a hydrated chromium(III) oxide, of medium saturation and relatively dark value”, says Wikipedia. The result is a constantly changing color that varies from dark turquoise to brighter green tones in direct sunlight.
The Fratello x Czapek Antarctique model is not only about color. The Dutch team also went for a combination of elements inherent to the Terre Adélie and Passage de Drake series. They use the specific “flinqué” stamped dial of the latter, while the former uses elongated markers. Compared to other Passage de Drake, the Arabic 12 marking is replaced here by the Terre Adélie's “double claw” index. The hands and markers are made of polished, faceted steel and coated with Super-LumiNova luminous material. The final touch is the seconds hand, or, in fact, the choice between three different seconds hands: fully steel, steel with an orange tip (as photographed here), or fully orange. As Rob Nudds, Fratello's managing editor, explained, this reminds him of his Irish roots. For my choice, it also goes well with Fratello's Dutch origin…
The watch is equipped with a rather impressive in-house developed movement, the SXH5 caliber. This large automatic movement is wound by a platinum micro-rotor and has an original architecture, including no fewer than seven bridges, five of which are skeletonized and reveal a fascinating view of the inner workings. The variable inertia balance wheel is held by a transversal bridge. The SHX5 caliber operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and has nearly 60 hours of power reserve from a single barrel. The finishing creates a striking contrast. It is modern but carefully thought out, with hand-polished chamfers on the internal angles and detailed lateral sides.
The Fratello x Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Viridian Green watch is worn on a classic integrated stainless steel bracelet, closed with a folding clasp and equipped with the “Easy Release” system. It allows you to remove the bracelet without a tool, so you can also use the black rubber strap that Fratello includes in the presentation box.
Availability and Price
The Fratello x Czapek Antarctique watch is released as a limited edition of 50 pieces and is available exclusively through the Fratello store. Pre-orders will begin tomorrow, July 8, starting at 6 am European time.
The price of the watch is 20,820 euros (including 21% NL taxes), and a deposit of 3,400 euros (including 21% NL taxes) is required to secure one of the 50 models, with the balance due by the end of October. Delivery will begin at the end of October and be completed by the end of November.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – FRATELLO X CZAPEK ANTARCTIQUE PASSAGE DE DRAKE VIRIDIAN GREEN
Case: 40.5 mm diameter x 11.3 mm height – 45 mm lug-to-lug – stainless steel case, matte and polished – domed sapphire crystal and sapphire case back – screw-down crown – water resistance 120 m
Dial: “flinqué” stamped dial with embossed square pattern, Viridian green CVD coating, long hour markers and Terre Adélie “double claw” index (no 12 digits), steel hands and indices with luminous material, three seconds hand options: fully steel, with orange tip, fully orange
Movement: Caliber SXH5, in-house development – automatic with platinum micro-rotor – 30 mm x 4.2 mm – 28 jewels – 193 components – Swiss lever escapement, operating at 4 Hz – 60-hour power reserve – hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Bracelet: Integrated stainless steel bracelet with Czapek's exclusive “Easy Release” system, additional black rubber strap with folding clasp included
Availability: Limited to 50 pieces. Available exclusively through the Fratello store starting July 8, 6 am European time
Price: 20,820 euros (incl. 21% VAT)