Introducing: The Czapek Faubourg De Cracovie Crossroads
When we think of Czapek, the Antarctique comes to mind. However, the popular brand has several other models within its lineup. The Faubourg de Cracovie is a chronograph with uniquely designed integrated pushers. Czapek has endowed this model with various dial designs. Today’s guilloché dials inspire the name Crossroads.
Czapek’s rise to watch stardom has been incredible to witness. Indeed, the watches are beautiful to behold in person and feature exquisite dials. Today, the Antarctique isn’t in focus, though. The Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads is the latest release, and the dials alone are worthy of review.
The Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads
The Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads is a series of two watches with guilloché dials. The dials come in Deep Blue or Secret Alloy. The Secret Alloy is made from gold, platinum, palladium, and silver. Each dial sits within a 41.5mm by 47mm stainless steel case with a 50m depth rating. The watches come with a standard blue alligator strap and stainless steel pin buckle. Optional Alcantara versions are also available.
A modern guilloché pattern
Czapek partnered with Metalem to design the Crossroads guilloché pattern. The result is a modern 3D-looking grid that shows off the traditional skills required to create guilloché. The main pattern blends with applied and luminous indices, a 12-hour sub-register, a 30-minute totalizer, and a “hidden” running seconds sub-dial with a date window. The two visible sub-registers have concentric-grained centers and angled, brushed edges. Moving outward, the brushed finishing continues on the peripheral minute track, which sits next to an angled black tachymeter ring.
For the Secret Alloy variant, Czapek chose blued hands across the board. The Deep Blue employs a mix of polished silver and black hands.
A sporty chronograph with an elegant case
With so many chronographs on the market, it’s difficult to create a unique-looking option. But with the Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads, Czapek has succeeded in designing a sporty yet elegant case that stands out from others. Credit the “integrated” pushers on either side of the crown guard. They’re noticeable, yes, but sleek. The case flanks and lugs are hollowed, showing a blasted, concave surface. The 13.9mm case thickness isn’t offensive, and the case styling hides it well.
The automatic SXH3 movement
The Crossroads uses Czapek’s familiar SXH3 automatic chronograph caliber. In fact, this movement was designed and is currently built by Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier. It’s notable for having a 36,000vph (5Hz) frequency and a lengthy power reserve of 65 hours. Furthermore, the SXH3 is a COSC-certified chronometer.
Lovely watches for medium-to-large wrists
I like how Czapek’s website states that the Faubourg de Cracovie is suited for people with wrists larger than 16.5cm (6.5″). That’s amazingly transparent, and as someone with a wrist slightly smaller than this, I can confirm that a slightly smaller watch would suit me. Still, the case does hug the wrist, and the flush pushers help conceal the size of the watch head. Maybe we’ll get a 39mm version one day?
Availability and parting thoughts on the Crossroads
Czapek will make 50 Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads Secret Alloy models, and the Deep Blue Crossroads edition will join the regular collection. Both have a price of CHF 36,000. Czapek competes in the luxury segment, so these prices aren’t surprising. Furthermore, the dials are gorgeous, the rest of the finishing is excellent, and a top-tier movement lies within. The Faubourg de Cracovie chronographs may not be the most popular Czapek models, but with dials like this, they deserve more attention.
