Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads Secret Alloy (Pre-Order)

This is a pre-order, with delivery expected mid-2025. Contact us for delivery estimates and deposits.

• Email: shop@collectivehorology.com
• Phone: +1 (805) 321-8877
• Text (US Only): +1 (805) 321-8877

Revisiting the dial of the Faubourg de Cracovie 

The Faubourg de Cracovie chronograph is the company’s third collection and was named after the location of Czapek’s third boutique, which he opened in 1850 in Warsaw, Poland. The calibre inside is also Czapek’s third, following the seven-day manually-wound movement found in the Quai des Bergues and the suspended tourbillon with GMT in the Place Vendôme, both famous locations of the late François Czapek. The Faubourg de Cracovie represents another major milestone in the company’s modern history for the pleasure of watch lovers and collectors world-wide.

The new Crossroads variant adds a tachymeter scale – marked around the dial perimeter or on the bezel – enabling the calculation of speed based on travel time (or vice-versa, measures distance travelled based on speed) by using mathematical formulas and the chronograph’s time measuring indications.

The dial of the Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads epitomizes the Maison’s pursuit of Beauty – in color, detail, harmony and with intricate texturing to capture and reflect the light. Reducing the diameter of the main section of the dial to accommodate the tachymeter scale was a case of “easier said than done” and to maintain the balance
and symmetry of all elements, the chronograph sub-dials also had to be reduced in the same proportion. A more pronounced flange was created, to ensure that they maintained a strong presence in the composition – a subtlety of detail that is a signature of Czapek.

For the guillochage, Czapek worked with its dial-making partner Metalem, to create a new pattern that would project a sportier and more modern image – a counter-intuitive use of such a deeply traditional craft. A reinterpretation of the ‘Double Soleil’ guilloché created for Quai des Bergues last year, the new Crossroads pattern has straighter lines that are more widely spaced and deeply etched. A passing resemblance to tyre treads
alludes to the racing heritage of tachymeters. Its name, Crossroads, describes the pattern of intersecting lines as well as symbolizing Czapek’s position at the crossroads of watchmaking tradition and a modern approach. Dynamic, alive and exciting, the dial is indeed an “invitation to race”.

The Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads Secret Alloy is limited to 50 pieces worldwide.