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De Rijke & Co. Unveils the Elegant Capri Collection: A Sculptural Ultra-Thin Dress Watch

December 16

De Rijke & Co., a distinguished Dutch watchmaker renowned for its innovative approach, has unveiled its latest creation: the Capri collection. This new series represents a significant shift in design philosophy from their acclaimed Amalfi collection, moving from mechanical ingenuity to pure sculptural artistry. The Capri is envisioned as an elegant ultra-thin dress watch, designed to exude quiet confidence and sophistication, drawing its inspiration from the cinematic beauty and timeless style of the island of Capri.

The centerpiece of the Capri collection is its remarkably compact stainless steel case, measuring a mere 28.5mm in width, 38mm in length, and an impressively svelte 6.5mm in thickness. This design exemplifies a new minimalist aesthetic for De Rijke & Co., characterized by seamless lines and refined understatement. Traditional lugs are absent, replaced by integrated, fluid sculptural extensions that unify the watch's form. Even the caseback screws are discreetly hidden beneath the strap, further contributing to its uninterrupted geometry. Despite its delicate appearance, the timepiece boasts 30 meters of water resistance and is protected by a 1mm-thick curved sapphire crystal, reminiscent of vintage architectural glass, ensuring durability for everyday wear.

The dial echoes the watch's sculptural theme, eschewing a flat surface for gentle curves that conform to the sapphire crystal's contour. This creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, adding depth and visual interest. The Capri is offered in three distinct dial variations: a rich black onyx stone, a shimmering black aventurine, and a vibrant Capri Blue lacquer. All surfaces are meticulously polished, enhancing the overall refinement. The Capri Blue edition stands out with its vivid hue, featuring applied baton indices, sleek hands, and a recessed, snailed small seconds subdial accented by a striking red hand. The onyx and aventurine versions, in contrast, offer a more minimalist display with only hours and minutes, devoid of hour markers and featuring openworked hands.

Driving the Capri series is either the La Joux-Perret D100 (for models with small seconds) or D101 (for hours and minutes only), a hand-wound movement acclaimed as a sophisticated alternative to the classic Peseux 7001. This caliber is slender, beautifully finished, and highly reliable, perfectly complementing the Capri's elegant proportions. Its exquisite decoration and precise engineering lend a substantial mechanical foundation to the watch's artistic design. The movement operates at a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a 50-hour power reserve, an 8-hour improvement over its predecessor.

Each Capri model is paired with a tapered calf leather strap, gradually narrowing from 24mm to 18mm, designed to integrate seamlessly with the case. Production is limited to just 50 pieces per dial version, with pricing set at EUR 2,195 (excluding VAT). Enthusiasts can anticipate deliveries commencing in March 2026, marking a new chapter in De Rijke & Co.'s journey of horological innovation and aesthetic mastery.

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