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Hands On Closer Look of the Ultra-Rare Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain

Our Take

The young legend of Rexhep Rexhepi continues. One of the most sought after timepieces of the last three years, the Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain is a departure from Akrivia’s previous AK series. The independent watch industry’s wonderkind watchmaker introduced us to his take on pure classical watchmaking in 2018 and boy were we left in complete awe! And we weren’t the only ones as the RRCC 1 would claim the Men’s Watch Prize at the 2018 GPHG awards. The immediate glaring difference from the familiar AK series is seen in the softer classically designed 38mm red gold case. Gone are the beveled edges and 30 part elements of the AK case.

The Chronometre Contemporain features a black grand feu enamel dial, and unites the inspiration of classical marine officer’s chronometers with Akrivia’s savoir faire that we’ve learned to love from the atelier’s wonderful pieces since its inception in 2012.

The time only display is elegant yet a sunken chamfered seconds dial at 6 o’clock provides an added touch of sophistication. Lastly Rexhepi chose to feature only the 12, 2, 4, 8, and 10 hour markers, creating an added level of symmetry in the true spirit of Akrivia.

It is in turning the watch over however, that one truly sees the magical work of Akrivia’s haute artisanal craftsmanship. The signature design of the RR-01 caliber by Rexhepi is sublime and spotlights a raging display of hand-finishing on every plate and bridge and around ever bend and corner. The perlage finished main plate gives way to elegant symmetrically designed plates and bridges where Akrivia’s signature bombé style anglage or rounded style beveling is the star of the show. Prominent are the black mirror polishing skills showcased on the signature center bridge as well as the balance cock. Rexhepi also features an ever soft layer of Côtes de Geneve on the beuatiufl plates, inspired by Philipe Dufour’s legendary work.

As for the watchmaking, the RR-01 caliber holds 100 hours of reserve impressively by a single barrel, despite its smaller size housed in a 38mm case. Those familiar with Akrivia can identify this caliber previously used in the atelier’s first non-tourbillon watch, the AK06. As with its predecessor, the RRCC1 features a hacking seconds and reset to zero feature providing for an intimate and accurate setting of time. Each of Rexhepi’s 50 Chronometre Contremporain will go through the arduous chronometry testing at the Observatoire de Besançon.

The RRCC 1 in red gold is one of 25 examples made while another 25 will be crafted in platinum for their respective owners. While all 50 are allocated and in the process of delivery, Rexhepi has hinted at a possible novelty in summer of 2021.

The Details

Brand: Akrivia

Model: Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain

Movement: Caliber RR-01 Manual winding caliber with stop seconds and 0-seconds reset function, central indication of hour minutes and seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock. Winding mechanism with traditional hand-polished click lever and spring. Frequency of 18,000 a/h (2.5 Hz).

Escapement: Swiss lever escapement with a developed variable inertia balance wheel (10.5mm) using 4 adjustable weights. Hairspring with Breguet overcoil.

Power Reserve: 100 hour reserve with one jeweled barrel which optimizes the efficiency by eliminating friction

Decoration: The entire movement’s visible and non-visible parts have been hand finished to highest traditions of Geneva watchmaking, using classical techniques such as: “anglage” (hand beveled angles) black polish, perlage, Côtes de Genève, hand graining and polishing, hand engraving with rhodium treatment.

Case: 38mm x 9.5mm in 18k Red gold 5N or in 950 Pt platinum Made of three parts with screwed case back and alternate polished and brushed finishing.

Sapphire: Glare proofed front sapphire; see-through case back with sapphire.

Dial: Traditional black Enamel Grand Feu on 18K red gold case with gold index printing. Traditional white enamel Grand Feu with blue printing for the Platinum case version hour, minutes and second in red or white gold 18K “poli bercé” (round polished)

Hands: Hour, minutes and second in red or white gold 18K “poli bercé” (round polished)

Strap: Calf leather Tang buckle either in Red gold 5N or 950Pt