Geneva Watch Days 2023: Czapek Teams Up With Bernhard Lederer To Create Two New Place Vendôme Complicité Watches

Independent watchmaker Czapek has established itself as one of the finest contemporary timepiece makers ever since it was brought back to life in 2015 via crowdfunding. The idea for the Place Vendôme Complicité timepieces was conceived in 2018, considering the success of Quai des Bergues and Place Vendôme. Czapek has now partnered with  Bernhard Lederer, inventor of breakthrough watches, to create two new versions, Harmony Blue and Stardust, each limited to only 50 pieces. These watches have been launched at the ongoing Geneva Watch Days.

What is a regulator watch in the first place? A regulator watch is one where the hours, minutes and seconds hands are independent of each other, fixed to, and rotating about a different point, instead of each hand being fixed to and rotating about the same point (commonly the centre of the dial). In the new collection, there is a double escapement regulator with two balance wheels beating independently.

Each of the new watches comes in a 41 mm case, suitable for all wearers, even those with thinner wrists. Both models get a differential at 12 o’clock that connects two escapements at 4:30 and 7:30. Also, both models have two sapphire bridges with six rubies between the two balance wheels that oscillate in opposite directions with four screws and four weights. Both the Harmony Blue and the Stardust are powered by Calibre 8, created in collaboration with Bernhard Lederer; it delivers a power reserve of 72 hours. 

‍

Harmony Blue

This model gets a rose gold case, bezel, integrated hallowed-out lugs, and crown at 3 o’clock. The dial is openworked on a Grainé mainplate that gets a blue galvanic treatment. This model also gets rose gold hour markers, partially skeletonised, sword-shaped hour, minute hands, and a central second hand. On the outer periphery of the dial, there is a minute track with 60 minutes marked in red.

At 6 o’clock, there is a power reserve indicator in dark blue with a rose gold hand and white numerals. Turning the watch over showcases the sapphire skeleton caseback with four visible screws in rose gold. The watch is finished on an alligator strap with an 18 ct 5N rose gold folding buckle.

‍

Stardust

This model boasts a white gold case, integrated, hallowed-out lugs, and a crown at 3 o’clock. The dial is openworked on a Grainé mainplate that gets a silver galvanic treatment. This model also has white gold hour markers, partially skeletonised, sword-shaped hour, minute hands, and a red-tipped central second hand. On the outer periphery of the dial, there is a minute track with 60 minutes marked in red, with black markings.

At 6 o’clock, there is a power reserve indicator in silver, sporting a white gold hand and black numerals. Turning the watch over showcases the sapphire white gold caseback with four visible screws. The watch is finished on an alligator strap with an 18 ct white gold folding buckle.