OUR STORY
Marked the birth of Franciszek Czapek in Semonice, kingdom of Bohemia (nowadays Czech Republic). He emigrated to Poland with his family in his youth, retaining Czech and Polish citizenship.
Franciszek fled to Switzerland following the collapse of the Polish uprising, in which he actively participated. A gifted watchmaker, he soon founded his first company, Czapek & Moreau, with a local partner, and Gallicized his name to François.
François Czapek and Antoine Norbert de Patek, both Polish emigrants, survivors of an insurrection that had forced them to flee, met in 1836. This encounter changed their lives. Czapek invited his countryman Patek to delve into the realm of watchmaking. Together they founded the company Patek, Czapek & Cie on May 1st. 1839.
The partnership between François Czapek and Antoine Norbert de Patek lasted six years, during which they created several exceptional timepieces. At the end of their contract, in April 1845, they dissolved the partnership. Both men continued producing timepieces. Czapek founded Czapek & Cie on May 1st, 1845, with a new partner, Juliusz Gruzewski.
François Czapek writes one of the first watchmaking treatise ever written in Polish.
Czapek was quickly recognized as one of the greatest watchmakers of the nineteenth century. Purveyor to the Imperial Court, Watchmaker of His Imperial Highness, Prince Napoleon. At its height, the company had boutiques in Geneva, Warsaw and Paris, Place Vendôme.
1871
Czapek
mysteriously
disappears.
On December 12th, 2012, the Czapek company name is officially resurrected.
Xavier de Roquemaurel and the two other entrepreneurs behind the revival analyse a library of Czapek’s timepieces to steep themselves in his work and personality. In their own words: “We labored on new designs as though François himself were seated amongst us.”
Czapek & Cie is officially launched in Geneva at the presence of journalists, friends and watch lovers. Fellow enthusiasts are given the opportunity to take part in Czapek’s renaissance by investing in the company by way of an equity crowdfunding campaign. It becomes the first Haute Horlogerie brand revived by watch aficionados worldwide.
Czapek & Cie wins the coveted Public Prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, the Oscars of Haute Horlogerie. A true recognition from a public of connoisseurs who rewarded the beauty and the horological quality of the Quai des Bergues No. 33bis.
Czapek launches its second collection, the Place Vendôme Tourbillon Suspendu 'Ici et Ailleurs' named after the Parisian square where François Czapek opened a boutique in 1850 - assumed to be the first fine watchmaking boutique ever on this world-famous square.
The Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph is the company’s third collection and is named after the location of François Czapek's third boutique, opened in 1854 in Warsaw, Poland.
The first flagship store is inaugurated in Geneva in the emblematic rue de la Corraterie, a few steps away from the Quai des Bergues, where François Czapek had his atelier in the 19th century. The store opening marks an important milestone in the history of the brand.
Czapek & Cie unveils the SXH5 caliber, the first movement to be entirely conceived and developed in-house by the Maison. The first limited edition of the Antarctique collection sells out within a few weeks.
In April 2022, the Company inaugurates its new Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The newly renovated, standalone premises incorporate machining, milling and polishing capabilities to gain in manufacturing speed, as well as independence. 2023 also marks another milestone with the launch of the Place Vendome Complicité, a dual escapement timepiece with differential.
In 2023, Czapek introduced a new Place Vendôme: the Complicité, an incredible double escapement timepiece made in collaboration with Master Watchmaker Bernhard Lederer and a new milestone for the company.
TO BE CONTINUED
COLLECTIONS
OUR WATCHMAKING APPROACH
WE COLLECT RARE PEOPLE
