Czapek Promenade Transparencies Aqua Blue: A Mechanical Study in Blue

Guided by Light

With the Promenade Transparencies Aqua Blue, Czapek once again explores the fascination of mechanical transparency. Two years after the Promenade Transparencies Viridian Green, the Swiss brand presents its concept of total transparency in a new colorway. The blue metallic sapphire crystal dial offers an unobstructed view of the fully skeletonized manufacture movement, revealing details such as the micro-rotor from both sides. The striking blue gradient is created without painting or tinting the sapphire crystal itself. Instead, Czapek uses a sophisticated physical vapor deposition process to create the dial’s fumé effect.

Dial Alchemy in Blue

On the underside of the sapphire crystal, the process deposits microscopic metallic dots measuring around eight micrometers in diameter — several times thinner than a human hair. Their density increases toward the outer edge of the dial and decreases toward the small seconds at 4:30. This creates the graduated blue tone while preserving the visual clarity and transparency of the movement beneath. The result is a sapphire crystal dial that remains completely transparent at its center before gradually turning more opaque toward the periphery. The effect gives the architecture of the movement an atmospheric backdrop without obscuring its intricate details.

The Aqua Blue also introduces a new interpretation of the hour markers. Rather than the metal indexes used on the first Promenade Transparencies, each marker is made from a block of light-blue Superluminova. Together with the hour and minute hands, the indexes glow in a matching light-blue tone in the dark, maintaining the watch’s color scheme around the clock.

Seven Bridges and a Micro-Rotor

Visible in its entirety from both the dial side and the caseback, the automatic SXH7 is a fully skeletonized evolution of Czapek’s SXH5 caliber. Its architecture was deliberately conceived to be equally compelling from either side. Seven bridges extend from the perimeter toward the center, holding the gear train in place. The design pays direct homage to the distinctive multi-bridge architecture found in the pocket watches created by François Czapek in the 19th century. The small seconds, however, have been relocated to a subdial at 4:30, allowing it to be driven directly by the seconds wheel. Czapek also redesigned the crown and winding mechanism to accommodate their position on the dial side, while the escapement has been reversed. One of the movement’s most distinctive elements is its micro-rotor, positioned at 9 o’clock and crafted from recycled platinum. Its compact dimensions leave much of the movement architecture visible while providing the automatic winding system.

Because the SXH7 can be admired from both sides, its decoration and hand-finishing extend throughout the movement rather than being concentrated on the side visible through the caseback. Skeletonized ratchet wheels, sandblasted bridges, hand-beveled interior angles and polished flanks receive the same attention on both sides.

60 Hours of Power Reserve

The SXH7 operates at a frequency of 4 Hz, or 28,800 vibrations per hour, and provides a power reserve of 60 hours. It is housed in a 38mm stainless-steel case measuring 10.9mm in height, the same case architecture used across the Promenade collection. Curved lugs and openworked case flanks give the case its distinctive profile and further emphasize the collection’s focus on transparency and light.

Limited to 38 pieces, the Czapek Promenade Transparencies Aqua Blue is offered with either a blue nubuck leather strap or a Milanese bracelet. The price is $40,300.