Czapek unveils the Promenade Diamond Drops, a limited-edition piece that extends the poetic dial design first seen in the Goutte d’Eau model. Inspired by water’s interaction with light, the new dial recreates a ripple effect using snow-set diamonds and sapphires. Each stone is individually placed into hand-cut wells on an 18K white gold base, forming a continuous surface of sparkle that conceals the metal beneath. With 360 diamonds and 319 sapphires across the dial alone, the visual result evokes both the precision of high horology and the randomness of nature’s patterns.
The detailed gem-setting process is the work of AB Products, a long-time Czapek partner. Snow-setting requires stones of varied sizes, some less than half a millimetre in diameter, fit together like a gemstone mosaic. Achieving a flat dial surface while working with gems of different hardness and colour, including blue sapphires in shifting tones, adds to the complexity. A further 173 diamonds are set on the bezel, flange and crown, bringing the total setting time to eight full days per watch.
Inside the 38mm white gold case beats the SXH5.1 micro-rotor calibre, designed in-house by Czapek. With its six openworked bridges and 60-hour power reserve, the movement draws architectural cues from 19th-century pocket watches while integrating contemporary finishing techniques. The Promenade Diamond Drops is delivered on a sapphire blue leather strap and limited to ten pieces made to order.
