Czapek

[enjoythemusic]

Monochrome is about a month late due to waiting for the backs. This is a special limited edition of 33 pieces offered by Monochrome at
https://monochrome-watches.com/intro...ability-price/

[JR16]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

The email came... Monochrome is headed my way. <happy dance>

Congrats, even w the month delay, not a bad wait time at all (compared to those of us who just placed an order during W&W)… looking forward to on-wrist pics!


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[jaygrow]

Eagerly awaiting my build date in July 2022... excited to start seeing more wrist shots and owner impressions!

[Addendum to correct error of wishful thinking- make that July 2023!]

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by rag5178

You’re kind of moving the goalposts with this response. Your first post said if it’s not Rolex/AP/PP or FP Journe, be prepared to lose $5k and I’m merely pointing out that there are many brands with watches selling above retail on the secondary market.

We are both in agreement that you shouldn’t buy a watch for hype or for profit, but I’m of the opinion that you can feel rather safe in your purchase of an Antarctique or Streamliner of Tonda PF or Overseas etc whereas you warned people they may very well lose money on anything that isn’t Rolex/AP/PP or Journe.

Apologies if I missed the point of your first post as your response is quite different and I wouldn’t argue that the Czapek is most definitely not the next 5711.

You’re not wrong I did move them posts lol

Your points are fair and well taken. I’m the guy who thinks this is all bs and that watches are wildly inflated by dealers who display behavior that would be illegal in other markets. I’ve been on the wrong side of many watches taking off in value and just hope that people are reserving these for the right reasons not because they expect a payday.

[Noahgraph]

Never was I ever more underwhelmed by a watch than the 5711. So I guess I am in for a treat then. Mind you the first time I stumbled across a 5711 it was already around 100 large. In that narrative I was no impressed. Czapek brings up a different interpretation in my head so hopefuly it will live up to my expectations.

[rag5178]

Originally Posted by GB-man

You’re not wrong I did move them posts lol

Your points are fair and well taken. I’m the guy who thinks this is all bs and that watches are wildly inflated by dealers who display behavior that would be illegal in other markets. I’ve been on the wrong side of many watches taking off in value and just hope that people are reserving these for the right reasons not because they expect a payday.

I absolutely agree with you there

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Noahgraph

Never was I ever more underwhelmed by a watch than the 5711. So I guess I am in for a treat then. Mind you the first time I stumbled across a 5711 it was already around 100 large. In that narrative I was no impressed. Czapek brings up a different interpretation in my head so hopefuly it will live up to my expectations.

Many were underwhelmed in fact it was a de facto narrative on TRF that we would tell people try before you buy as many here were accustomed to a 6 digit Rolex and the bank vault feel.

I bought one as I was attracted to the Patek brand and came from a Rolex (sports watch) background. It was more of a subtle flex if you know you know piece. Of course that has changed dramatically.

[mongrelnomoad]

Just got an email that they’re closing the Antarctique order book. The right move IMO.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

Just got an email that they’re closing the Antarctique order book. The right move IMO.

Well this is on their website

WE ARE SORRY BUT WE CANNOT TAKE ORDERS FOR THE ANTARCTIQUE COLLECTION FOR NOW. WE WILL REOPEN THE ORDERS FOR WATCHES & WONDERS 2023. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND YOUR TRUST.

Seems like orders are being paused not closed

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Well this is on their website

WE ARE SORRY BUT WE CANNOT TAKE ORDERS FOR THE ANTARCTIQUE COLLECTION FOR NOW. WE WILL REOPEN THE ORDERS FOR WATCHES & WONDERS 2023. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND YOUR TRUST.

Seems like orders are being paused not closed

Semantics, but yes.

[sgrossma]

I don't think anyone should be surprised by this. They have the most transparent order book of any brand and you could literally watch the slots fill up. As of this morning, there were only 7 slots left in December 2023 which more than likely will be delayed anyway.

[Gavster]

And the email says they hope to fulfil existing orders by the end of 2024, so for recent orders that’s a nearly 3 year wait…

[JR16]

Originally Posted by Gavster

And the email says they hope to fulfil existing orders by the end of 2024, so for recent orders that’s a nearly 3 year wait…

On the bright side, for existing orders w a deposit, the price is locked in.


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[beshannon]

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

Semantics, but yes.

No, just facts.


We are therefore truly sorry to inform you that we have taken the difficult decision to close the Antarctique order book for one year. The decision will only affect the Antarctique Passage de Drake and Antarctique S models. All other collections remain available.

https://czapek.com/antarctique_closed/

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by beshannon

No, just facts.


We are therefore truly sorry to inform you that we have taken the difficult decision to close the Antarctique order book for one year. The decision will only affect the Antarctique Passage de Drake and Antarctique S models. All other collections remain available.

https://czapek.com/antarctique_closed/

You must be fun at dinner parties.

Is the order book currently closed? Yes. Will it reopen in a year? Apparently.

See? Both statements true.

Sheesh. Some people and their fragile egos.

[enjoythemusic]

(OOPS, just noticed link above, will leave the below anyway for easy / continuity if that's cool with you guys n' gals)

For those not following Czapek's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/czapekgeneve/ ...

This just in from Czapek:
-------------------------------

Dear Friends, Partners, Watch Lovers,

The new Czapek & Cie was born in 2015 with the intent of re-establishing the name of Francois Czapek with beautiful, exceptional watches, and to open the doors of haute horlogerie to as many watch lovers as possible. Over the years, the community around Czapek has steadily grown. The launch of the Antarctique, back in 2020, has strongly accelerated this growth, and now we find ourselves in the situation of not being able to cope with the high demand of timepieces from this collection.

(bold by me) We are therefore truly sorry to inform you that we have taken the difficult decision to close the Antarctique order book for one year.


The decision will (bold mine) only affect the Antarctique Passage de Drake and Antarctique S models. All other collections remain available. Also, Passage de Drake and Antarctique S orders taken until now are confirmed, our objective is to honor all of them before the end of 2024.

We plan to start taking Antarctique orders again at Watches and Wonders 2023. In the meantime, we are doing our best to accelerate our manufacturing pace. We are moving our Atelier to a new, bigger, facility in La-Chaux-De-Fonds, we are hiring people, and are re-organising our work and procurement with our Partners to assemble more watches.

We keep the same creative, audacious, and transparent spirit that animated us over the past six years, and our commitment to haute horology quality, values, and culture. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any feedbacks or questions. And now let the
Next Chapter begin…

[ChetBaker]

The right decision. They’d be another one trick pony like AP if they hadn’t done this.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

You must be fun at dinner parties.

Is the order book currently closed? Yes. Will it reopen in a year? Apparently.

See? Both statements true.

Sheesh. Some people and their fragile egos.

Good luck to you as you seem to want to twist words to suit your purpose.

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Good luck to you as you seem to want to twist words to suit your purpose.

Yeah sure. Whatever mate. Lol.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by ChetBaker

The right decision. They’d be another one trick pony like AP if they hadn’t done this.

Agreed. their one year pause is a smart move. I wish more companies would operate like this. I would love to be able to order a Gronefeld if they would accept orders for future dates.

Transparent factual communication is what will help Czapek succeed.

[rag5178]

The part about hoping to fulfill all orders by the end of 2024 is a little bit concerning. Does that mean that they are already anticipating a one year delay for people who have already submitted an order?

[Patek_collector]

i am waiting for the glacier blue end of this year... my order on the deep blue passage de drake did not go through yesterday! but that's is fine. it is better for the brand to have this stop.

i will enjoy the glacier blue end of this year... and will wait till next year to place my next order! very happy for Czapek.

coming from the Patek world, the Czapek model is refreshing even if i missed my second order.

[sgrossma]

Czapek has 2 years of pre-orders and this will give them a good chance to focus on improving production and the business without having to worry about marketing or getting additional orders (short term). I think by this time next year they will be in a much better position to take and fulfill orders and this isn't game over for anyone that missed out. Gronefeld on the other hand makes like 70 watches a year with no plans to expand significantly beyond that.

[Nicof]

Think it’s the right move to pause for a year, not sure about the “moving to a bigger location and hiring more people” part though. Current environment doesn’t exactly scream expansion to me.


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[jaygrow]

Curious about fulfilling current orders by the end of 2024.
Do we think this is a typo and should say 2023?
Or is production delayed a year from our scheduled build dates?

[Gavster]

Originally Posted by jaygrow

Curious about fulfilling current orders by the end of 2024.
Do we think this is a typo and should say 2023?
Or is production delayed a year from our scheduled build dates?

Czapek told my AD that there was a 2 year waiting list a week ago, so I don’t think it’s a typo…(but it would be good if it was!)

[mbalmz]

Originally Posted by jaygrow

Curious about fulfilling current orders by the end of 2024.
Do we think this is a typo and should say 2023?
Or is production delayed a year from our scheduled build dates?

Originally Posted by Gavster

Czapek told my AD that there was a 2 year waiting list a week ago, so I don’t think it’s a typo…(but it would be good if it was!)

I could be wrong, but I'd thought the most recent orders were already being given 2024 dates? I put my deposit down back in February and was told ~early 2023 for delivery and I think they've just been moving the target delivery dates out steadily since then.

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by mbalmz

I could be wrong, but I'd thought the most recent orders were already being given 2024 dates? I put my deposit down back in February and was told ~early 2023 for delivery and I think they've just been moving the target delivery dates out steadily since then.

So they sold ~1 year's production in 2 months? Jeez. Talk about rich man's problems...

A tricky moment in Czapek's story, for sure.

[Gavster]

Originally Posted by mbalmz

I could be wrong, but I'd thought the most recent orders were already being given 2024 dates? I put my deposit down back in February and was told ~early 2023 for delivery and I think they've just been moving the target delivery dates out steadily since then.

It’s a bit odd that just yesterday the Czapek website still had about 8 slots available for December 2023 delivery!

[mbalmz]

Originally Posted by Gavster

It’s a bit odd that just yesterday the Czapek website still had about 8 slots available for December 2023 delivery!

ah did not realize this.