The intersection of mechanical art and speculative fiction is a territory rarely explored in high-end watchmaking. Yet,
Czapek & Cie has ventured into this fascinating realm with its latest creation, the Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R. This timepiece is a complex mechanical marvel that poses a question through its very design: what is the relationship between humanity and the machines we create? It does so not with a somber tone, but with a playful and interactive spirit, centering its intricate complication around the face of a robot.
At the heart of this watch's unique identity is a conceptual link to a pivotal moment in literary and technological history. The inspiration for the R.U.R. stems from a remarkable discovery by the Czapek team. They realized that the word "robot" was popularized exactly a century before the launch of their initial rattrapante model by a Czech playwright named Karel Capek. The serendipity of the shared, albeit differently spelled, name was too profound to ignore. This historical connection provided the perfect narrative framework for a watch that already celebrated the beauty of its own mechanics.
Courtesy of Czapek
Karel Capek's 1921 play, "R.U.R. – Rossum’s Universal Robots," was a groundbreaking work of science fiction. It explored themes of industrialization, dehumanization, and artificial consciousness, introducing the term "robot" (from the Czech word roboti, meaning forced labor) to a global audience. The play's narrative, in which mechanical workers rebel against their human creators, has influenced countless dystopian stories since, from Blade Runner to The Terminator. Czapek & Cie's timepiece embraces this legacy, not as a dark premonition, but as a point of creative departure, merging a century-old philosophical debate with the tangible beauty of gears, levers, and springs.
The idea was sparked by a Czapek shareholder who, upon seeing the original Antarctique Rattrapante in 2021, suggested incorporating a robot into the movement. This initial thought, combined with the discovery of the Karel Capek connection, solidified the project's direction. The result is a watch that is both a tribute to a historical visionary and a modern expression of Czapek’s philosophy, which champions the pursuit of aesthetic and mechanical excellence. The robot is not merely a decorative element; it is an integrated, functional part of the watch's character and complication.
Before delving into the mechanics of this robotic creation, it is essential to understand the foundation upon which it is built. Czapek & Cie is a name resurrected from the annals of 19th-century horology. François Czapek, a Czech-born Polish watchmaker, arrived in Geneva in 1832 after fleeing political unrest. A contemporary and one-time partner of Antoni Patek (of
Patek Philippe fame), Czapek established his own maison, Czapek & Cie, in 1845. His exceptional craftsmanship earned him the prestigious title of Purveyor to the Imperial Court of Napoleon III, and he opened a boutique on Paris's iconic Place Vendôme.
After falling into obscurity for over a century, the Czapek & Cie name was revived in 2015 by a group of passionate watch enthusiasts. Their goal was not to simply replicate old designs but to recapture the spirit of François Czapek's work in a contemporary context. This modern incarnation of the brand has quickly gained acclaim for its distinctive designs, high-quality finishing, and a unique business model that involves crowdfunding and direct engagement with its collector base. The launch of the Antarctique collection in 2020, featuring the brand's first in-house calibre, marked a significant milestone, establishing Czapek as a serious contender in the competitive luxury sports watch category.
Courtesy of Czapek
The Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R. presents its narrative immediately upon first glance. The dial is a multi-layered, open-worked landscape of mechanical components. Dominating the 12 o’clock position is the stoic face of the robot. Created by Czapek's partner MD'Art, this miniature sculpture is a feat of micro-engineering. Fashioned from titanium, its head is meticulously cut, hand-polished, and laser-engraved to create a series of geometric patterns that give it a distinctly futuristic, almost tribal, feel. It is a work of art that also serves a crucial function.
What truly brings the robot to life is its eyes. Instead of static jewels, they are dynamic indicators micro-painted by hand in vibrant neon hues. They are directly linked to the chronograph's operation, changing color to signal its status. When the monopusher at 2 o'clock is pressed to start the chronograph, the robot's eyes glow a vivid yellow. Press it again to stop the timing, and they shift to a commanding red. Upon resetting the chronograph, the eyes turn to a cool, calm blue. This animated feature draws the observer's attention directly to the heart of the complication, making the technical process intuitive and visually engaging.
The rest of the dial is a symphony of mechanical transparency. The movement, Calibre SXH6, has been inverted to display the complex split-seconds chronograph mechanism on the dial side—a feature Czapek calls a world premiere. This "inside-out" construction turns what is normally hidden into the main attraction. A prominent tripod bridge secures the patented satellite minute train and the split-seconds mechanism, creating a strong central anchor for the visual chaos of the gears and levers below.
The entire operation is governed by two column wheels, the traditional mark of a high-end chronograph. One is positioned directly beneath the robot head at 12 o’clock for the main chronograph function, while the second, controlling the split-seconds mechanism, sits at 6 o’clock. This symmetrical arrangement provides a sense of balance to the otherwise complex dial. The wearer can witness the entire mechanical ballet: the horizontal clutch engaging, the delicate clamps of the rattrapante closing and opening, and the crisp, satisfying click of the column wheels with each push of a button.
Courtesy of Czapek
Further distinguishing the R.U.R. are subtle but deliberate details. The central chronograph hand is rendered in stark white, while the split-seconds, or rattrapante, hand is a vibrant blue aluminum with a white tip, ensuring legibility amidst the mechanical density. The peripheral minute track and the two sub-dials—a 30-minute counter at 4:30 and a small seconds display at 7:30—are rendered on a grey fumé sapphire glass ring. Instead of traditional numerals, these registers feature "XX" symbols, a nod to a fictional robot language with roots in the Yautja alphabet from the Predator film franchise, adding another layer of playful sci-fi lore to the watch.
The technical prowess of the Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R. is rooted in the Calibre SXH6, a movement developed in collaboration with the renowned complications specialist Jean-François Mojon and his team at Chronode. A split-seconds chronograph, or rattrapante, is one of the most challenging complications to execute. It features two central seconds hands. When the chronograph is started, they move together. The split-seconds pusher (located at 10:30 on this model) stops one hand to mark an intermediate time, while the other continues running. A second press of the pusher causes the stopped hand to instantly "catch up" (rattraper in French) to the running hand.
Hidden deep within this mechanism is an additional piece of sophisticated engineering: an isolator. In many split-seconds chronographs, when one hand is stopped, it can create a slight drag on the movement, potentially affecting the watch's timekeeping accuracy. The isolator in the Calibre SXH6 is a lever system that completely decouples the two chronograph seconds wheels, eliminating this friction and preventing any negative impact on the movement's chronometric performance. This feature represents a significant technical refinement, enhancing the reliability and precision of an already complex function.
This self-winding movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and provides a substantial 60-hour power reserve from a single barrel. The winding is handled by a micro-rotor made from recycled 5N rose gold, visible through the sapphire caseback. Comprising 292 components and 49 jewels, the calibre is a testament to modern watchmaking innovation, designed not just for performance but for visual spectacle.
Courtesy of Czapek
The finishing throughout the watch is executed to the highest standards of haute horlogerie. On the dial side, the intricate levers and bridges feature a fine shot-blasted texture that contrasts beautifully with their hand-polished chamfers. The heads of the screws and the surfaces of the column wheels are black-polished to a mirror-like sheen, catching the light and creating a dynamic interplay of textures. This meticulous attention to detail turns the movement into a piece of kinetic sculpture.
Turning the watch over reveals a similarly impressive view through the exhibition caseback. The 5N rose gold rotor is centrally mounted, its design complementing the architecture of the bridges beneath. These bridges are finished with a matte bead-blasted surface, again framed by gleaming, hand-polished chamfers. This contrast of matte and polished surfaces is a Czapek signature, creating a sense of depth and highlighting the calibre's intricate construction.
All of this technical and artistic content is housed within a robust 42.5mm stainless steel case. The design is modern and angular, with a perceived height of just 10.5mm from the bezel to the caseback, making it wear comfortably despite its actual 15.3mm thickness including the box-style sapphire crystal. The lug-to-lug dimension of 46.5mm ensures a compact presence on the wrist. With a screw-down crown and 120 meters of water resistance, the case is as functional as it is finely crafted.
The watch is fitted with Czapek’s signature integrated stainless steel bracelet. Its design features a combination of vertically brushed flat surfaces and highly polished, C-shaped connecting links that echo the finishing of the movement. For practicality and comfort, the bracelet includes the brand’s "Easy Release" system for quick strap changes, as well as a micro-adjustment device in the clasp. For added versatility, the watch is also delivered with a complementary rubber strap.
Courtesy of Czapek
The Czapek & Cie Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R. successfully merges a high-horology complication with a playful, thought-provoking narrative. It invites the owner to appreciate not just the "what" of its function, but the "how" and "why" of its design. The robot head is more than a novelty; it is a clever interface that makes one of watchmaking's most complex mechanisms accessible and enjoyable, translating the cold precision of its mechanics into a language of color and motion.
The Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante ‘R.U.R.’ is a limited edition of just 77 pieces, a number that ensures its exclusivity. It is scheduled for release on September 5th, 2025, and will be available through Czapek’s authorized global retail partners, the Czapek boutique in Geneva, and directly from the company's website. The international retail price is set at 58,000 Swiss Francs, excluding taxes, positioning it as a significant but compelling proposition for collectors seeking a truly unique and masterfully executed complicated sports watch.
Case: 42.5mm stainless-steel case; 46.5mm lug to lug; 15.3mm height; Sapphire crystal glass-box with anti-reflective treatment; Water resistance 12 atm; Screwed-down crown.
Movement: Calibre SXH6 automatic movement; Split-second monopusher chronograph; 60-hour power reserve; 4 Hz (28,800 VpH); 49 jewels; 292 components; Recycled 5N rose gold rotor.
Dial: Open-worked split-second chronograph on the dial side; Robot head chronograph state indicator; Sword hours and minutes hands with SuperLuminova; Grey fumé sapphire glass minutes ring and counters.
Strap: Integrated stainless steel bracelet with "Easy Release" system & micro-adjustment device; Complementary rubber strap included.
Price: 58,000 CHF (before taxes).
Notes: Limited edition of 77 pieces. The robot head at 12:00 indicates the chronograph state: running (yellow eyes), stopped (red eyes), and reset (blue eyes). Available as of September 5th, 2025.