Czapek

Czapek takes its name from François Czapek, a Czech-born watchmaker of Polish background who worked in Geneva in the 19th century and was the first partner of Antoine Norbert de Patek, in the firm Patek, Czapek & Cie from 1839 to 1845. After the partnership ended Czapek continued under his own name, and the name was later forgotten.

The brand was revived in 2015 by a small team led by Xavier de Roquemaurel, with backing from a group of collectors and private investors. Its first watch, the Quai des Bergues, is named after the Geneva street where Czapek had his workshop, and draws on one of his pocket watches. The brand has since added sportier collections, but the Quai des Bergues remains the core of its classic range.

Czapek production is small, and early pieces were often numbered or made in limited series. When dealing in one, check that the edition number and dial match the papers, and look closely at enamel and guilloché dials, which are hard to restore. Buyers in this segment usually want the complete set and a clear history.