Independents

Today's main dish is the new (announced and shown at BaselWorld) Chronograph, Faubourg de Cracovie.

Those three models are all limited to 18 pieces.

Love this enamel dial....  I would lose the lumi on the hands, though




This is a rare "pair shot" with Quai de Bergues with the similar design enamel dial.  See how the design philosophy is flowing through the models.






Black/ silver guilloche dial version has rubber strap.  Very sporty and nice.




Also, beautiful blue guilloche dial....








Check this out.  You have a choice between the domey plastic as this photo or a bit lower crystal glass.  I would like this domey type as it feels like the good old days....




From the back - notice the both buttons are on the same height as the crown guard, which was also used for Quai des Bergues.  The push feel is interesting - for start/ stop, the pusher goes deeper while the "return" pusher goes a bit shallower.  Although this example was still "prototype", the feel was interesting and fun.  Could be softer... hope for the delivery pieces.

Of course, it is not realistic to expect someone to buy all four for him and for her.  But this is a nice idea and Czapek seems to be thinking of making limited, order only, a coffret for TWO watches with the same exact concept (straps for him and her, with clutch system to make quick change possible - the choice is from those four + enamel dial 38.5mm version with special price.  Wonderful idea, indeed.  I would choose green and red pair watch )  Looks nice on vacation!  








Titanium Guilloche Ricochet.



Chocolate....



And this is "da man"!  Xavier de Roquemaurel, showing the Chronograph operating with big smile.  He is a lovable gentleman.

Now, the dessert is the Patek, Czapek & Cie Pocket Watch, No. 535, auctioned off by Czapek, certified by Patek Philippe.












So wonderful.  This is history, which not many know.  Patek, Czapek & Cie......



Finally, dessert wine du jour... )

Special edition of Place Vendome - with enamel (champleve) dial, with engraving by Michèle Rothen Rebetez, one of the top artist of engraving.




The motif is Acanthus leaves, which was used for the limited edition of Quai des Bergues in Platinum.  This special model has engraving on the sides as well.  The design is influenced by the paintings at the Assisi Cathedral, and the technique are seen often in Duomo di Orvieto in Umbria.










Xavier says "it was the biggest challenge to find who could reproduce such a micro design onto the platinum case with curves.  She (Michèle) completely understands our philosophy and what we expect.  It is great working with her on this project."  Each pieces are made to order - each unique piece are made only for the owner and the engraving pattern would never be repeated.....  Wow....  Looks very "antique"-ish engraving and just looking at this engraving would let me forget the "time passing".....

So, what do you think of the new offerings.  Sure, you may like some, you may hate some.  That's okay.  Size may matter (Place Vendome is quite big).  But overall (despite even I do not applaud all of them), this brand let me expect more and may be one of the most successful new brand.  So far it has had a great start.

Ken

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