This final celebratory release follows the Czapek & Cie. Antarctique Tourbillon (first in-house complication in the Antarctique line, unveiled at Watches and Wonders), the Antarctique Plique-à-Jour, a modern take on métiers d’art, and the just-released Time Jumper, powered by jumping hours Czapek Calibre 10. With the Quai des Bergues “Sursum Corda,” the Maison returns to its historical roots, re-asserting the quest for Beauty and refined simplicity that define Czapek’s identity.
The Quai des Bergues collection — first unveiled in 2015 — was named after François Czapek’s original workshop on Geneva’s Quai des Bergues, where he established his own atelier before opening boutiques in Paris (Place Vendôme) and Warsaw.
The founders of modern-day Czapek immersed themselves in the maison’s 19th-century legacy, studying archival pocket watch designs, including the 1850s reference 5350 that inspired the original Quai des Bergues wristwatches.
The first production wristwatch — the Quai des Bergues N° 33 — faithfully reinterpreted the historical pocket-watch aesthetics: elongated Roman numerals, grand feu enamel dial, and the signature dual de-centred sub-dial layout (small seconds and power reserve), executed in a 42.5 mm case and powered by a proprietary calibre developed in collaboration with master movement maker Chronode.
In 2016, the Quai des Bergues 33bis model was awarded the Public Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), underlining the collection’s successful fusion of historical fidelity and modern haute horlogerie. From its earliest release, the Quai des Bergues line has embodied Czapek’s philosophy of continuing François Czapek’s quest for Beauty without attempting to define it — creating timepieces that combine perfection with imperfection, timeless elegance with contemporary soul.
“Sursum Corda”: A Dial That Resonates with Resilience
The new “Sursum Corda” version — in 18K rose gold with a pristine white grand feu enamel dial — revives the aesthetic codes of the original collection (enamel, Roman numerals, refined hands), while adding powerful, symbolic depth.
The Latin phrase “Sursum Corda” (“Lift up your hearts”) is discreetly integrated under the enamel, revealed only when light strikes the surface at certain angles. This secret sentence is a phrase often used by CEO Xavier de Roquemaurel during the most challenging moments throughout the brand’s entrepreneurial journey, a metaphor for resilience, hope and inner strength. “It’s an invitation to never give up and always give the best of ourselves even when hope would have vanished in the mind of normal people. This sentence has a reference — if you know, you know!” The idea of including it into the dial of the anniversary piece dial actually came from a Czapek team member and not from Xavier.
Alongside, a laser-engraved “10 / 180” logo marks the dual anniversaries: ten years since the modern revival, and 180 years since the brand’s founding. A secret “Czapek” signature — a faithful reproduction of François Czapek’s historical signature from the Geneva archives — lies within the small-seconds subdial. This interplay of visible and hidden elements reflects Czapek’s vision for this model: minimalist and pure aesthetic enriched by thoughtful details for owners to discover. The “Sursum Corda” is powered by Czapek’s own manual-winding calibre — the same lineage used for the original Quai des Bergues wristwatches.
The double barrel construction delivers a 7-day (168-hour) power reserve, providing owners the practicality of weekly winding — as well as a nod to historical practice (many 19th-century pocket watches were wound on Sunday, after the service). The movement draws on the architecture of mid-19th-century pocket watches (two barrels, symmetrical layout, open ratchets) and is finished with traditional haute horlogerie touches: circular graining, hand chamfered bridges, and sand-blasted surfaces — all of which echo the historical aesthetic while meeting contemporary expectations for craftsmanship.
While the original Quai des Bergues wristwatches were offered in 42.5 mm (and later 38.5 mm) cases, the new “Sursum Corda” is launched in 40.5 mm, a size chosen to balance modern wrist proportions with classical proportions and dial-legibility. This makes the new piece the only upcoming Quai des Bergues size, consolidating the collection’s identity and future direction.
Alongside the anniversary edition, Czapek also introduces the new continuative Quai des Bergues N° 33, also in rose gold with a white grand feu enamel dial, and N°25, combining stainless steel and grand feu enamel. A refined evolution of the 33bis and the 25ter, they both showcase enhanced finishing — including sand-blasted flanks — and offer personalisation options such as either historical ‘Fleur-de-Lys’ hands or a contemporary arrow design, and the possibility of choosing the “secret sentence” written in the enamel dial. The new models cleverly leverage the 7-day calibre, with the sub-dial at 4:30 showing both the power reserve and the day of the week.
“These two new Quai des Bergues timepieces are more than commemorative creations”, says Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO, Czapek & Cie. “They are future collectibles and the purest expression of Czapek’s design philosophy. They speak to our history, our community of rare people, and the resilience that defines our journey.”
The new Quai des Bergues “Sursum Corda”, N° 33 and N° 25 stand as a symbolic closure to the 2025 anniversary circle, from the rebirth to a confident affirmation of identity. Through hidden details, heritage and a movement that bridges centuries, Czapek invites its Rare People community to celebrate perseverance, craftsmanship and passion for watchmaking that are at the core of Czapek’s revival.
Discover Czapek & Cie timepieces at SHH boutiques, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore and Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.