Czapek & Cie: The Rise of a Modern Horological Legend

In 1811, Franciszek Czapek was born in Semonice, in the then Kingdom of Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. As a child, he moved to Poland with his family. His life took a dramatic turn following his participation in the Polish uprising, forcing him to flee to Switzerland as a refugee.

 

Photo source: Czapek

 

Once settled, Franciszek, who adopted the name François, partnered with another Polish émigré, Antoine Norbert de Patek. They established Patek, Czapek & Cie in 1839, marking the start of their watchmaking endeavor. 

 

Photo source: Czapek

 

However, by 1845, they decided to go their separate ways. François then founded Czapek & Cie alongside a new partner, Juliusz Gruzewski. Antoine Patek started to develop his brand known as Patek Philippe.

 

François Czapek quickly made a name for himself as a master watchmaker. His company became renowned, especially after he became a watch provider to the Imperial Court and his shops flourished in key cities like Geneva, Warsaw, and Paris.

 

Photo source: Monochrome Watches

 

Despite his success, François disappeared in 1871, and his story faded into the shadows until 2012, when his brand was revived. Xavier de Roquemaurel, along with two other enthusiasts, worked meticulously to bring Czapek’s legacy back to life. They launched the revived Czapek & Cie in 2015 and invited watch lovers to invest in the brand’s new chapter through an equity crowdfunding campaign.

 

Photo source: A Blog To Watch

 

Czapek & Cie re-entered the watchmaking world with acclaim, winning an award at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève in 2016. The brand continued to honor its heritage with new collections named after significant locations from François’s past.

 

Photo source; Czapek

 

By 2019, the brand solidified its place in the modern era with the opening of a flagship store in Geneva, and in 2020, it announced its first in-house movement, demonstrating its commitment to innovation and craftsmanship. More recently, in 2023, Czapek introduced a new masterpiece, the Place Vendôme Complicité, a dual escapement watch, continuing the brand’s tradition of horological excellence and innovation.

 

Even though Czapek is a relatively young independent company it has become one of the top members of the indie scene, among other great names like FP Journe, H. Moser & Cie, MB&F and Greubel Forsey.