The Incredible History and Revival of the GPHG-Winning Czapek Quai des Bergues

Independent watch brands are a dime a dozen today, thanks to the global democratization of watchmaking knowledge. In a congested market where survival is never guaranteed, stalwarts like Czapek & Cie stand out for executing horology with genuine care and reverence.

Besides being known for creating the Antarctique—widely regarded as one of the most beautiful integrated bracelet designs of our time—Czapek is also famed for faithfully recreating François Czapek’s iconic ref. 3430 pocket watch.

Born Franciszek Czapek in 1811 in the Kingdom of Bohemia, he moved to Poland but would flee to Switzerland after the Polish revolt of 1830 was thwarted. In Geneva, he co-founded Patek, Czapek & Cie. with fellow Pole Antoine Norbert de Patek in 1839. After their split, he created timepieces for the court of Napoleon III alongside Juliusz Gruzewski under the company name Czapek & Cie. As word traveled, Czapek gradually became known as one of the best watchmakers in Europe, but suddenly disappeared without a trace in 1871.

Almost two centuries later, three enthusiasts led by the indefatigable Xavier de Roquemaurel crowdfunded the brand’s revival. They began with a tiny run of chronographs powered by new old stock Valjoux movements, then used the proceeds to commission revered movement maker Chronode to build the SXH1—a distinctive 3 Hz calibre inspired by Czapek’s ref. 3430 made in the 1850s.

Armed with a seven-day power reserve, SXH1 would drive the 2015 Czapek Quai des Bergues, an eye-catching wristwatch named after the Geneva street where Czapek once had his shop. Lyonnais-born de Roquemaurel enlisted acclaimed artisans—Donzé Cadran for the dial, and Parmigiani Fleurier’s Les Artisans Boîtiers for the case—to bring the design to life.

The watch’s small seconds sit at 7:30, complemented by a dual-function power reserve and day-of-the-week indicator at 4:30. Historically, watches were wound after Sunday service, so a fully restored power reserve would point to “Dimanche” (French for “Sunday”) and power level “7”. These symmetrical subdials are echoed on the reverse by twin barrels, with open ratchet wheels, which enable the aforementioned seven days of autonomy.

Beyond honoring Czapek’s original aesthetic, Chronode founder Jean-François Mojon also sought to replicate the hand-finishing that Czapek lavished on the movement’s plates and bridges, but with some aesthetic upgrades. This meticulousness earned industry-wide praise; the Quai des Bergues won the “Public Prize” at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève the following year.

To mark 10 years of the Quai des Bergues collection and the brand’s 180th anniversary, Czapek has now unveiled a more compact iteration featuring an enamel dial and secret signatures.

The Anniversary Edition and Its Customisable Variants

Following this year’s Antarctique Tourbillon, Antarctique Plique-à-Jour, and Time Jumper, the Czapek Quai des Bergues Grand Feu Enamel “Sursum Corda” is the brand’s fourth and final anniversary tribute.

It retains the beloved dial layout and SXH1 movement, now in a more wearable case: the 2015 original measured 42.5mm, while the new edition arrives in a modest 40.5mm 5N rose gold case.

Limited to just 10 pieces, the Sursum Corda incorporates classic Czapek signatures—grand feu enamel dial, blued steel Fleur-de-Lys hands, and the elongated Roman numerals favored by François Czapek. It also hides three discreet signatures that can only be seen when held to the light: a ‘10/180’ engraving beneath the central hands, marking both anniversaries; François Czapek’s signature etched into the small seconds; and the Latin phrase “Sursum Corda” (“Lift Up Your Hearts”) above the hands—an expression de Roquemaurel often used to motivate his team during tough stretches, prompting an employee to propose engraving it on the anniversary piece.

Priced at USD 51,500, this 10-piece edition might prove difficult to acquire—serving as a halo piece that draws attention to the ongoing, non-limited models.

The brand has concurrently released the Quai des Bergues N° 33 in rose gold (USD 47,600) and the N° 25 in stainless steel (USD 26,900). Clients can choose between arrow pointers or the maison’s trademark Fleur-de-Lys hands, and may even select their own “secret sentence” to be engraved on the N° 33’s or N° 25’s enamel dial. The small seconds of both models are also adorned with the ‘Czapek’ autograph.

Final Thoughts

It’s not that I can’t help but root for underdogs—Czapek has simply been making sensational contributions to horology year after year. Over the past decade, the maison has reimagined the Quai des Bergues in various forms, so if this trio of tribute watches doesn’t quite speak to you, earlier iterations might. Several are available on the secondary market, with some commanding significantly above their original retail prices—a healthy indicator of Czapek’s brand equity.

Past editions include an even more compact 38.5mm model and pieces bearing the now-famous “ricochet” dial—a distinctive guilloché pattern that has become the calling card of this future legend.