Introducing The New Czapek Place Vendôme Complicité with Double Escapements

Last year, during Geneva Watch Week, Czapek unveiled two exceptional watches in the “Place Vendôme Complicité” edition, showcasing a new movement with the highest degree of complexity. For these masterpieces, the company collaborated with watchmaker Bernhard Lederer to present two versions of the “Place Vendôme Complicité” watch. The Harmony Blue version features a rose gold case, while the Stardust version comes with a white gold case.

This edition stems from the vision of CEO Mr. Xavier de Roquemaurel, who wanted highly complicated watches that highlight the heritage of the Maison. The collaboration with his friend, watchmaker and owner of the Bernhard Lederer company, brought this vision to life. Lederer is renowned for developing many distinctive complications, most notably the Central Impulse Chronometer and the Remontoire d’Egalité complication, which he kindly explained to us in one of our fascinating interviews.

We also had a very special meeting with Xavier during Geneva Watch Week 2023, where he explained the concept and intricacies behind these highly complicated watches, as shown in this video.

The Place Vendôme Complicité features a double escapement with two balance wheels beating at independent rates. The differential at 12 o’clock balances any variation between the two wheels and compensates for any beat errors. I liken the concept to an automobile’s limited-slip differential used to apply more torque to a wheel with more traction and deliver less torque to a wheel that’s slipping. By applying this logic, the regulator cancels out any errors caused by gravity or other factors by either of the variable-inertia balance wheels. 

The watch comes with a white gold case like what we saw in the previous version, “Stardust”. The new version, “Place Vendôme Complicity Cobalt”, features the same case size as previous versions. features a 41.8mm diameter case, a thickness of 13.3mm, and a contemporary profile with polished surfaces and hollowed-out lugs with sandblasted interiors. The large crown is flanked by protectors to ensure 50m water resistance. While the domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment provides a clear view of the stunning dial.

In keeping with the Quai des Bergues layout, the open worked dial places the balance wheels at the seven and four positions. Between these two, at 6 o'clock, is the three day power reserve indicator marked in 12-hour intervals. This scale sits on a plaque with circular graining, black markings, and a fine-tipped blued hand. Below it, on this version, is the “grainé” gray mainplate, which acts as the base of the dial.

Beneath the triangular bridges, you can appreciate the four adjustment screws on the variable inertia balance wheels as well as the Breguet terminal curve on the hair spring. The novelty of this latest reference is the use of the blued indices and sword hands, which contrast with the circular-grained gray minutes and hours flange skirting around the movement. The differential gear at noon is secured under a transparent sapphire crystal bridge with six rubies set in gold chatons.

The transparent case back shows the already familiar Czapek architectural DNA, with the very special Lederer crown wheel mechanism integrated. as this caliber 8 is developed in collaboration with the german master watchmaker bernhard lederer. This manually wound movement beats at 21,600vph, offering up to 72-hour power reserve. Made of 293 parts.

The Place Vendôme Complicité is available in a limited edition of just 13 pieces, each priced at CHF 85,000, equivalent to 348,000 AED. It features a black alligator strap with an 18k white gold folding clasp.

For more information please visit Czapek's official website.