Robots Meet Rattrapante: Czapek Unveils the Antarctique R.U.R.

With the new Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R., Czapek & Cie. once again demonstrates how technical mastery and imaginative design can merge into an extraordinary timepiece. Beneath its gray-metalized sapphire dial, the complicated luxury watch reveals not only the sophisticated mechanics of the rattrapante chronograph but also a surprising twist: the face of a robot whose eyes change color whenever the chronograph is started, stopped, or reset. Equally captivating are the artisanal finishing details. Polished screws, hand-beveled levers, and chamfered bridges stand out in striking contrast to the sandblasted plate, underscoring the Genevan manufactory's devotion to traditional watchmaking and craftsmanship.

The name R.U.R. refers to Rossum’s Universal Robots, a groundbreaking play by Czech writer Karel Čapek that premiered in Prague in 1921. It was here that the word “robot” first appeared, coined by Karel’s brother Josef. The play, which grappled with the dehumanizing potential of technology, became a cornerstone for the entire field of robotics in literature and cinema, inspiring works from Terminator to Blade Runner. With the Antarctique R.U.R., Czapek bridges this cultural heritage with modern haute horlogerie, weaving together narrative and mechanics in a uniquely poetic way.

At the heart of the Antarctique R.U.R. lies the caliber SHX6, developed in collaboration with Chronode. It is a rattrapante chronograph, with the entire mechanism displayed on the dial side. A three-axis central bridge supports the patented minute wheel and the split-seconds mechanism. Two column wheels structure the movement: the upper, at 12 o’clock, controls the chronograph, while the lower, at 6 o’clock, commands the rattrapante function. This architecture makes the intricate choreography of clutches, levers and wheels visible in real time as the pushers are activated. A particular highlight is the isolator mechanism, a lever system that fully disengages the two chronograph seconds wheels. This prevents excess friction and ensures that precision is maintained even when the split-seconds function is in use. The SHX6 is a self-winding caliber, adorned with decorations that follow the finest Geneva traditions. A single barrel provides a power reserve of 60 hours, balancing technical performance with sophistication.

The most striking stylistic element is the robot’s head on the dial, created in partnership with MD’Art. Made from titanium, it is milled, hand-polished, and laser-engraved with lovely attention to detail. Its eyes are coated in micro-lacquered neon hues and change color depending on the chronograph’s operation: yellow when started, red when stopped, and blue when reset. Other details reinforce the robotic theme: the split-seconds hands are anodized blue with white tips, while “XX” symbols replace traditional numerals on the recessed subdials and chapter ring, echoing the language of digital codes and machine logic.

The Antarctique R.U.R. comes in a 42.5mm stainless steel case, seamlessly integrating a bracelet composed of satin-brushed surfaces and polished C-shaped links. A sapphire caseback reveals the finely decorated movement inside. Highlights include a rotor made of recycled 5N rose gold, satin-finished bridges with polished chamfers, circular-grained wheels, and black-polished screws — a feast for connoisseurs of haute horlogerie finishing.

The watch will be available for pre-order starting September 5, 2025. Distribution will be through authorized Czapek retailers, the Geneva boutique, and the brand’s official website. Deliveries are scheduled between September and December 2025. The retail price is CHF 58,000 (excluding VAT), which corresponds to approximately $72,200.

To learn more, visit Czapek, here.