XMThe SXH5 calibre is the first movement to be entirely conceived in-house by Czapek from a blank page. Time, expertise and passionate enthusiasm are required to create the most precious objects. Developing and manufacturing a mechanical movement is a challenge and poses all sorts of engineering obstacles. For any company to create a mechanical movement entirely by themselves is rare. And it is anything but easy.
You first need to define the movement specifications. What is essential? What are the objectives? Our idea was to create an outstanding haute horlogerie movement, a powerful, high-autonomy reliable selfwinding calibre with remarkable architecture. The SXH5 stands out with a series of skeletonized bridges inspired on one side by XIX century pocket watches, and by the very modern Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph’s rotor. Its micro-rotor offers the best of all worlds: elegance and efficiency.
The watchmaking engineer then works for months on the design of the movement, determining how to best harmonize form and function. An intricate series of tiny components needs to be defined to seamlessly work together.
The creation of a movement requires an army of specialists and skilled craftsmen, bringing together an unparalleled depth and breadth of skill and experience. Dozens of suppliers are involved in the project – a magnificent orchestra directed by Czapek in the ‘We Collect Rare People’ spirit. Each specialist devotes expertise and passion to perfecting the smallest details, patiently and painstakingly. Without compromises. The prototyping phase ensures to test the movement for function. Composed of dozens of parts, some of which are microscopic, it is subjected to rigorous test to guarantee its reliability.
It is then time to launch production. Plate and bridges are machined. Wheels are cut. Spring, levers, jumpers are shaped to perform as intended. Metal parts are patiently decorated to give an impeccable finish to components that might be hidden underneath the dial. This is an extreme endeavour in which the working approach is guided expertise and passion.
EVERYTHING IS IMPORTANT
The parts are then entrusted to the hands of our watchmakers for the assembly. These are carefully assembled by hand one after the other. The gear train is held in place by a series of seven bridges. The free-sprung balance wheel with variable inertia provided by four gold masselotte weights enables the highest level of precision tuning. Finally, a series of rigorous tests are carried out to control the proper functioning of the movements. Those who did pass the test will be cased. The others will need to be adjusted again and check in details. But the devil is in the detail after all!
Developing and manufacturing a movement in-house is not about playing it safe. it is not just another project, it is a structuring choice for a watch company. The road is long and full of obstacles… but it is worth the journey.
Xavier de Roquemaurel
Pierre Millasson
Valeria Garavaglia