The Czapek Quai des Bergues Sursum Corda is imbued with heritage-rooted theatricality
It has been a milestone year for a number of watchmaking brands, and Czapek & Cie has been no exception. Celebrating 180 years since the founding of the original maison in Geneva in 1845 (and ten years since its modern revival in 2015), the independent brand has marked the occasion with a sequence of releases that showcased its creative range. From the enthusiast-approved Antarctique Tourbillon to the more avant-garde Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R. and Time Jumper, Czapek has, by every measure, had a prolific year.
It seems only fitting, then, that the brand should conclude the year by returning to its most classically inclined and historically grounded collection, the Quai des Bergues. First brought to the attention of collectors in 2015, when the revived Czapek introduced its inaugural wristwatch, the Quai des Bergues has since served as the clearest expression of the maison’s underlying philosophy. Rooted in 19th-century pocket-watch design, the timepiece—with its grand feu enamel dial and two subdials at 4 o’clock and 7 o’clock—established the brand’s ability to faithfully reimagine historical designs for the eyes of contemporary collectors.
Now, the brand has unveiled the Quai des Bergues Sursum Corda. While earlier iterations of the Quai de Bergues were offered in 42.5mm and 38.5mm, the Quai des Bergues Sursum Corda comes in a 40.5mm 18k rose gold case. More importantly however, the timepiece now adds a direct, albeit anachronistic, flourish that ties the timepiece to the modern-day brand.
Discreetly integrated beneath the white grand feu enamel dial, and only visible at certain angles, is the Latin phrase Sursum Corda, meaning “Lift up your hearts.” While the phrase is most commonly associated with liturgies, its use here is meant to remind the discerning collector of the brand’s journey.
“It’s an invitation to never give up and always give the best of ourselves,” says Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie., who often used the phrase during the brand’s most challenging moments.
Beyond the familiar aesthetic codes of the Quai des Bergues line—elongated Roman numerals, offset subdials, and fleur-de-lys hands—the timepiece further expresses its heritage through a “10 / 180” marking that references the brand’s dual anniversaries. Elsewhere, a reproduction of François Czapek’s historical signature is hidden within the small-seconds subdial at 7 o’clock, while a 4 o’clock subdial is used to display both the power reserve and the day of the week. Combine this with the stunning white grand feu enamel dial, vintage stylings, and contemporary case size, and you have a watch that will resonate with fans of the brand.
Powered by Czapek’s manual-winding, double-barrel calibre SXH1 that boasts a seven-day power reserve, the timepiece is limited to just ten pieces.
