Czapek & Cie Place Vendôme Complicité Stardust Cobalt

Czapek & Cie’s recent release of the Place Vendôme Complicité Stardust Cobalt is an exceptional collaboration with renowned watchmaker Bernhard Lederer—a coming together to reinvent the classic’s Place Vendôme legacy. Limited to just 13 pieces of the 100 comprising the first edition, this watch builds upon the reputation of the Complicité Stardust and Harmony Blue editions, which were introduced in August 2023. It features a double escapement, epitomizing precision and reliability, showcased elegantly beneath a butterfly-shaped sapphire glass bridge at the 12 o’clock position—a signature element that adds both allure and technical depth.

The watch retains the distinctive layout of the original Place Vendôme, with sub-dials forming a pyramid structure. The double escapement with a central differential creates a kinetic sculpture that is visually stunning. Powered by the manually wound Calibre 8, the watch offers a 72-hour power reserve, visible on the dial through sapphire bridges. This design blends modern and traditional elements, with detailed hand-finishing that includes 18 manually chamfered internal angles and contemporary decorations.

The Place Vendôme Complicité series is deeply rooted in the concept of établissage, or horizontal manufacturing. This approach sees Czapek collaborating with top independent specialists to create extraordinary watches, much like a conductor leading an orchestra. Bernhard Lederer’s expertise in escapements and his visionary approach have significantly contributed to this collection.

“At Czapek & Cie, we believe in the enduring appeal of exceptional craftsmanship and striking design,” said Xavier de Roquemaurel, CEO of Czapek & Cie. “We are confident that with the newly implemented dazzling domed sapphire crystal, the Place Vendôme Complicité Stardust Cobalt represents the twist in the white gold model that many had been waiting for.”

The Stardust Cobalt edition, crafted in white gold, features shimmering blued indexes and hands that contrast with the circular-grained grey minutes and hours track. To provide a clearer view of the dial-side mechanism, the glass-box of the original collection has been replaced with a domed sapphire crystal. The Place Vendôme Complicité Stardust Cobalt will be available through Czapek & Cie’s official boutiques and authorized retailers worldwide, with the first deliveries of the Complicité collection having begun in July 2024.