Picture this: your watch winking at you with colored robot eyes every time you start, stop, or reset the chronograph. No, this isn’t science fiction. This is the latest marvel from watchmaker Czapek & Cie, introducing their newest masterpiece, the Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R. It’s a perfect blend of literary homage and horological genius.
Inspired by the 1920-21 play ‘R.U.R – Rossum’s Universal Robots’ by the Czech playwright Karel Čapek, who also brought ‘robot’ into our vocabulary, Czapek’s new release is a limited edition stunner. Only 77 pieces of these ticking wonders will be produced, and they’re ready to jump off the shelf – or perhaps roll out on a conveyor belt, given their robotic roots – on the 5th of September at the Geneva Watch Days.
Under the hood – or should we say under the dial – is the upgraded Czapek SXH6 Caliber. The twist? You can see the split-seconds chronograph in action from the dial side. Plus, the robot head located at 12 o’clock adds a playful touch, with its eyes that change colors: yellow for start, red for stop, and blue for reset. It’s like having a smartwatch, but way classier and without all the constant notifications.
The watch also signifies a family affair, as Karel Čapek and François Czapek are distant relatives, making this not just a watch but a time-travel capsule looping literary history with futuristic flair. Geneva’s Beau-Rivage Hotel will host the unveiling, with perhaps a humanoid twist awaiting us in the showroom.
With Czapek embracing innovation yet maintaining a romantic tie to history, they continue to occupy a unique niche in the horological cosmos. What was once a journey from mundane to machine in the original R.U.R tale, Czapek turns into a journey from vintage to vanguard. Don’t miss out on this limited edition marvel that affectionately proves robots are more than just Androids or overly eager vacuum cleaners.
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