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Seems to me that Czapek is a victim of its own success. Since the brand was revived and up until recently they were well structured to meet demand for their timepieces. The release of the Antarctique in conjunction with the general insatiable desire for this type of steel integrated bracelet sports watch changed all that. There were some risk-takers who purchased the Terre Adelie and it sold out quickly. When the Passage de Drake was announced, many jumped into the queue, me included, but it stayed pretty open for quite awhile. By the time the details of the Fratello version were circulating in the press, the jig was up and FOMO closed out the lists.
As an owner, I have to say I've been dismayed since the moment Czapek released a watch that could immediately sell on the secondary for higher than retail. This wasn't the result of intentionally limiting production. If anything, they seem to be having a difficult time producing approved orders on their intended timeline.
Now we've crossed the tipping point where a timepiece moves from being something purchased, used, and admired by owners to something that sits in a safe with little stickers intact, waiting to be moved to the next safe. Or maybe just enough stickers are taken off to post a wrist shot with blurry shoes and a little bracelet to match the rest of the shots on Instarepeat. People are free to turn anything into a store of wealth, however transient and risky it may be, but it just sucks when their action makes it that much more expensive and difficult for an enthusiast to enjoy.
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