Meet the Czapek Promenade L’Écume des Jours

Czapek & Cie. brings literature, art, and traditional craftsmanship together in the Promenade L’Écume des Jours. Limited to 18 pieces, the 38mm stainless steel watch takes its name and creative inspiration from Boris Vian’s 1947 novel of the same name. Its artistic dial translates the book’s surreal, dreamlike atmosphere into a composition of blue enamel, mother-of-pearl, jade, and a sculptural water-lily subsidiary seconds display.

A Dial Inspired by Music and Nature

The Goutte d’Eau (water drop) dial combines blue enamel with a ring of mother-of-pearl piano keys, a jade disc and a water lily, cut from lightweight titanium and finished with miniature painting, for the small seconds at 4:30. The detailed and romantic composition was conceived by Czapek designer Chloé Desbiolles and developed with dial specialists Donzé Cadrans. The craftsmanship is particularly intricate. Donzé Cadrans produces the enamel base, while MD’Art uses laser engraving to create recesses for the mother-of-pearl and jade elements. The piano keys are painted by hand, and the jade disc is also laser-worked. The skeletonized hour and minute hands preserve the view of the intricate dial, allowing the artistic composition to remain fully visible.

In-House Caliber SXH5.1

The automatic Caliber SXH5.1 can be admired through the sapphire case back. Its micro-rotor is made of recycled 950 platinum, and its 60-hour power reserve is delivered by a single barrel. The movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and features seven skeletonized bridges inspired by François Czapek’s 19th-century pocket watches. Black sandblasted surfaces, bevelled angles and straight-grained sides add to the carefully executed finish.

The Promenade L’Écume des Jours measures 10.8mm thick and is water-resistant to 50 meters. It comes with a dark blue nubuck strap. A stainless steel Milanese mesh bracelet is available as an alternative. Pricing is marked at $37,700.