Split Second - MR STATELESS

Tag: Split Second

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September 2 2025

A New Chapter For The Antarctique Rattrapante: Czapek’s Limited Edition R.U.R

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Czapek expands its Antarctique collection with a striking new creation, the Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R, an evolution of the brand’s dial-side split-seconds chronograph first introduced in 2021. Limited to 77 pieces, this new edition combines high-end chronograph engineering with a bold artistic twist that gives the movement a personality of its own.

The Concept Behind R.U.R.

The name R.U.R. refers to Rossum’s Universal Robots, a 1920 play by Czech writer Karel Čapek, who is credited with popularising the term “robot.” In this edition, a miniature robot is integrated into the movement itself, acting as a visual indicator of the chronograph’s status. The colour of the robot’s eye changes depending on the mode: it turns yellow when the chronograph is running, red when stopped, and blue when reset.

The robot head, crafted by MD’Art, is meticulously cut, polished, engraved, and hand-painted, adding a playful yet artisanal detail to an otherwise technical timepiece.

The Movement: SXH6 Calibre with Upgrades

At the heart of the Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R is the automatic SXH6 calibre, developed with Chronode. Like the original 2021 model, the movement displays its split-seconds chronograph mechanism on the dial side, offering an open view of its complex construction. It is a monopusher chronograph equipped with two column wheels, one for the chronograph and another for the rattrapante, while a horizontal clutch ensures smooth engagement of the functions. Operating at a frequency of 4 Hz, the calibre provides a power reserve of 60 hours.

Finishing is equally impressive: the matte sandblasted mainplate contrasts with mirror-polished bevels, and the sub-dials are decorated with stylised “XX” symbols to echo the robot-inspired theme. On the reverse, the oscillating weight is made from 5N recycled rose gold, while the bead-blasted bridges are highlighted with hand-polished chamfers.

Case and Bracelet

The stainless steel case retains the proportions of its predecessor, measuring 42.50 mm in diameter and 15.30 mm in thickness, while offering a water-resistance of 120 meters. The chronograph is operated by a pusher at 2 o’clock integrated into the crown guard, while the split-seconds function is controlled via the pusher at 10 o’clock.

Completing the design is Czapek’s integrated steel bracelet, with its stylised C-shaped links, bright polished surfaces, and practical features such as a quick-change system and micro-adjustment for comfort. The watch is also supplied with a spare rubber strap.

Limited Edition Availability

The Czapek Antarctique Rattrapante R.U.R is produced in a limited series of 77 pieces and is priced at CHF 58,000. Orders opened on September 5, 2025.

Minerva Mechanics In Focus: Montblanc’s Burgundy Split-Second Chronograph

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Montblanc continues to explore the intersection of historical horology and modern craftsmanship with the 1858 Split Second Chronograph Burgundy, a limited edition timepiece that showcases the mechanical artistry of traditional Swiss watchmaking. Designed in tribute to Minerva’s legacy—one of the oldest and most respected chronograph manufacturers in Switzerland—the watch blends vintage aesthetics with a high-performance rattrapante movement.

Design That Recalls the Golden Era of Chronographs

The timepiece features a bold 44 mm stainless steel case, topped with a fixed 18k white gold fluted bezel, a visual cue pulled directly from Minerva chronographs of the 1920s. Brushed surfaces and a narrow polished bevel add texture and contrast, emphasizing the watch’s tool-watch roots while maintaining refined elegance.

A monopusher chronograph is built into the fluted crown, controlling the start, stop, and reset functions. A second pusher, placed at 2 o’clock, manages the split-second complication, enabling the wearer to time intermediate intervals with precision.

Dial in Deep Burgundy With Functional Symmetry

One of the most striking elements is the sunray-brushed burgundy dial, which shimmers between shades of crimson and wine depending on ambient light. This vivid background supports a clear, vintage-style layout: a tachymeter scale encircles the outer edge, followed by a seconds/minutes track in white. Two subdials provide functionality—a 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock, and small seconds at 9 o’clock—each with a black background for enhanced readability.

Large Arabic numerals coated in white Super-LumiNova mark the hours, although the central open-tipped hour and minute hands, in contrast, are left without luminous fill—preserving a historically accurate appearance. To differentiate between the overlapping hands, the chronograph hands are painted white, including the one on the minute counter, allowing for quick distinction from the timekeeping elements.

A Movement Worthy of a Display Caseback

Powering the watch is the manual-winding Montblanc calibre MB M16.31, a movement crafted at the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret, formerly known as the Minerva workshops. Modeled after the early 20th-century Minerva calibres 19-09 CH and 17-29, the MB M16.31 is a large-scale, pocket-watch-style chronograph movement measuring 38.40 mm in diameter and 8.13 mm in height.

This caliber is equipped with dual column wheels and horizontal clutch architecture, supporting both the chronograph and rattrapante (split-second) functions. It beats at a traditional 18,000 vibrations per hour, relying on a large screwed balance wheel for steady precision.

The level of finishing is exemplary: bridges and plates in German silver (maillechort) are decorated with Côtes de Genève, perlage, and hand-chamfered edges. The split-second mechanism features a signature V-shaped chronograph bridge, patented in 1912, while the arrow-tipped hammer references the goddess Minerva herself. A gold-plated going train adds a warm visual accent beneath the sapphire display caseback.

Limited Edition of 100 Pieces

Completing the package is a burgundy leather strap with an alligator print, fitted with a stainless steel triple-folding clasp with fine adjustment. The strap is interchangeable, offering versatility for those who want to swap styles.

The Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph Burgundy is produced in a limited edition of 100 units and is priced at € 55,000. For collectors and enthusiasts of high-complication mechanical watches, this model stands out not only for its historical connections but for the sheer quality of its execution.