Introducing: Fratello x Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Viridian Green Limited Edition

July 07, 2021

We here at HODINKEE have a well-qualified fondness for collaborations. A huge part of the fun comes from the small tweaks to a design that can help to create a watch that is both recognizable and yet distinct in its own right. Announced earlier this week and going on sale tomorrow, Thursday, July 8th, the Speedmaster-obsessed team at Fratello Watches recently partnered up with the talented folks at Czapek & Cie to create a limited edition version of the brands Antarctique Passage de Drake featuring a brand-new green dial. Reborn in 2011, modern Czapek has been establishing itself as a player in the high-end independent market and the Antarctique line represents a departure from the brands generally more complicated and elaborate creations. Launched in May of 2020, the Antarctique range is formed around a sporty steel watch with an integrated bracelet (a well-loved and continually popular format previously established by watches like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus). Coming in at 40.5mm wide, 11.3mm thick, and 45mm lug to lug, the Fratello x Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Viridian Green Limited Edition has 120 meters of water resistance, sapphire crystals front and back, and includes a rubber strap alongside its tapered steel bracelet. As with previous Antarctique models, the Fratello LE uses Czapeks SXH5 automatic movement. Created for the Antarctique line, the SXH5 ticks at 4 Hz, has a 56-hour power reserve, and is automatically wound via a micro-rotor made of recycled platinum. Also worth mentioning is that the movement is drop-dead gorgeous C?with a dark baseplate highlighting its strong architectural lines and beautiful finishing. The main element of this limited edition collaboration, however, is a brightly saturated Viridian Green dial. More blue/green than most green dial executions, the color is accented by the dials flinqu finish. Also finessed are the hour markers, which are now longer, and the 12 oclock marker, which has been rendered as a double marker rather than the Arabic 12 common to the current Antarctique range. Only 50 examples of the Fratello x Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Viridian Green will be made, and each will be sold C starting at 6 AM CEST tomorrow C?for 17,206 (or roughly $20,430 before any taxes). Interested parties will need to plunk down a deposit of 3,400 and decide which of three possible seconds hands they would like to option; full steel, steel with an orange tip, or fully orange. What We Think As weve highlighted in the past, as far as dial colors go, green is deeply on-trend, so the timing for this LE seems to be fortuitous. That said, judging only by the provided photos, the dial appears to be much more green in low light and somewhat more blue (or perhaps a dark seafoam) in brighter light. Having owned a couple of watches with pastel blue dials, I think this color treatment will likely age better than some of the more richly green watches that employ darker or more iridescent coloring. Sporty, but not to the point of seeming like it would best suit an athleisure outfit, this LEs dial makes the most of the color and the eye-catching detail of the dial finish. With luminous markers, a date at six, a rubber strap, and the peace of mind provided by 120 meters of water resistance, this is a luxe limited edition creation that one could actually wear and enjoy in many day-to-day scenarios. Those in need of extra fun can opt for the full orange seconds hand, which, judging by the images which show the orange-tipped execution, should accent the green/blue dial beautifully. The Basics Brand: Fratello x Czapek Model: Antarctique Passage de Drake Viridian Green LEDiameter: 40.5mmThickness: 11.3mmCase Material: Steel Dial Color: Viridian GreenIndexes: AppliedLume: YesWater Resistance: 120 metersStrap/Bracelet: Steel integrated bracelet and included rubber strap with butterfly clasp The Movement Caliber: Czapek SXH5Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, datePower Reserve: 56 hoursWinding: Automatic Frequency: 28,800 vphAdditional Details: Micro-rotor made from recycled platinum Pricing & Availability Price: 17,206 (before taxes/VAT)Availability: Pre-order opens July 8th at 6 AM CEST Limited Edition: 50 piecesFor more, click here.