Explore the Platinum Variation

Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II Platinum

Our Take

Four years ago, Rexhep Rexhepi released the Chronomètre Contemporain (RRCCI). Neo-classical in aesthetic and inspired by marine chronometres, Rexhepi’s timepiece took the watchmaker and AkriviA in a new and exciting direction. The RRCC I was the crystallization of Rexhepi’s long-held aspirations – to fuse the storied past of Swiss watchmaking with his vision for its future. Selling out almost instantly, collectors have anxiously anticipated the arrival of the second watch in the RRCC line. Well today is that day, the Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II is here.

Continuation of the Chronomètre Contemporain Design Language

Inheriting the style of its predecessor, the RRCC II continues the distinctive aesthetic that’s now a signature of AkriviA. The character of the RRCC II is exemplified by the all-new caliber RRCC02. Symmetrically constructed and finished to haute de gamme standards like the first edition, the RRCC02 is the culmination of three years of development. While it is instantly recognisable as an AkriviA movement – it might even be mistaken for a first edition at a glance – the RRCC02 is a wholly new construction which combines twin barrels and going trains, along with an independently-driven jumping seconds that boasts a hacking and zero-reset function.

The outline of the RRCC02 is quintessentially AkriviA: a beautifully symmetrical barrel bridge secures twin mainsprings, each driving discrete functions. One barrel supplies energy to the balance wheel, the beating heart of the watch responsible for keeping the time. And the other drives the jumping seconds, allowing the seconds hand to leap forward crisply in one-second steps without impacting the movement’s precision. This twin-train construction is novel and stands in contrast to the conventional, single-going train setup of the first edition.

Beyond the new complications, the RRCC02 is a tangibly improved timekeeper that lives up to the “chronometer” appellation. For one, the caliber utilizes a newly designed balance wheel that relies on regulating screws instead of circular weights. As a result, it boasts 60% more inertia than the balance of the first edition. Combined with a mainspring that delivers 40% more torque, the RRCC02 offers more stable timekeeping over longer periods.

A familiar face with grand feu enamel

On the front, the RRCC II preserves the refined guise of the first edition. Once again grand feu enamel, the dial retains the chapter ring characterized by alternating Roman numerals.

The vitreous enamel dial is produced the old-fashioned way – with a skilled hand and a fine paintbrush – and then fired in an oven, a process that has to be repeated several times to achieve the glossy, indelible finish that defines true enamel. Once perfect, the enamel dial is lapped with an abrasive paste to hone the surface until it is almost glassy in its smoothness.

Painstaking as it is, the process has to be repeated because each dial is made of two parts soldered together: the recessed subsidiary seconds and the main dial. Notably, one of the subtle refinements of the dial from the first to second generation literally lies in between the two parts – the dial now does away with the gold retaining ring around the seconds register, allowing the sub-dial to join seamlessly with the main section of the dial.

The markings on the dial are also fired enamel; first printed in liquid enamel and then fired once again to set the markings. Continuing the careful refinements that characterize the RRCC II, the markings have been subtly reworked – the hour markers are rendered in a heavier font, giving them greater presence.

Hagmann’s legendary touch on the case

The RRCC02 is contained within a case produced in-house by AkriviA at the workshop overseen by famed case maker Jean-Pierre Hagmann. Made up of 15 parts, including lugs individually soldered to the case middle, the case has been refined in ways that are significant but subtle over that of the first edition.

The purpose of the redesign was to perfect its overall proportions, resulting in a more harmonious balance between the various elements. That required tweaking every aspect of the case such that, despite the inherited aesthetics, the case is wholly new – none of the components are interchangeable between the two editions.

Amongst the refinements is a sapphire crystal with a more pronounced dome. Another is the geometry of the lugs, a defining feature of the first edition. The gracefully arched lugs were modeled on mid 20th century gentlemen’s watches, particularly those with cases produced by Emile Vichet, an esteemed case maker. They have been elongated on the RRCC II, giving them a more graceful sweep downwards. It was frankly hard to imagine how the original RRCCI timepiece could be improved. It was that good as a timepiece in high horology. Now, we can see that the process is only beginning for Rexhep Rexhepi and his team. While the design and aesthetic elements are astounding, it should be said that the highest forms of watchmaking merge design, aesthetics, and timekeeping performance. The leap in the horological performance with the improved balance wheel of the RRCC II as well as the movement with twin-train construction stick out above all else in this timepiece.

The pursuit of perfection is a game of iterations, incremental improvements that often occur over long periods of testing and refinement. It’s wonderful to see that Rexhep and his team have the patience, wherewithal, and focus to continue improving on the original RRCCI. Though this sets the bar higher and higher for AkriviA and its peers in the industry, we have no doubt that the brand will continue to deliver hit after hit for years to come.

The Details

Brand: Akrivia

Model: Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II

Functions: Subsidiary dead-beat seconds with hacking and zero-reset, sweep central hours and minutes

Winding: Manually wound

Movement: dimension Diameter 31.2 mm, height 7.5 mm Components (including jewels) 214

Jewels: 33

Escapement: Lever escapement with solid banking studs

Oscillator: Free-sprung, adjustable mass balance with eight inertial and four screws, fitted to a balance-spring with Breguet terminal curve

Frequenct: 3 Hz (21’600 vibrations per hour)

Balance diameter: 11.50 mm

Balance inertia: 20 mm2.mg

Power reserve: 82 hours

Dial: Grand feu enamel in ivory with markings in black enamel

Hands: Gold 5N: Steel heat-treated to a purple finish

Case: Composed of 15 components – of either platinum or rose gold 5N – and bearing the hallmark “JHP” of Jean-Pierre Hagmann. Made with traditional methods and manually-operated tools, including restored antique equipment, within AKRIVIA’s case workshop under the supervision of Jean-Pierre Hagmann.

Operating elements: Crown In platinum or rose gold 5N, with fluting milled by hand

Dimensions: Diameter 38 mm, height 8.75 mm excluding crystal

Water Resistance: 3 ATM

Strap: Fine calfskin with two-tone finish, hand-stitched in Geneva, and attached to platinum buckle.