From Akrivia’s Atelier and from the mind of independent watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi comes the new RR CC II: the new Chronomètre Contemporain II.
Rexhep opened his atelier in the oldest part of Geneva in 2012, so exactly 10 years ago, setting up a team that now counts 15 people. His excellent work was awarded worldwide in 2018 by the GPHG, with the first series of the Chronomètre Contemporain RRCC01.
Today we discover the latest creation from Geneva.
The story of Akrivia and the young watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi
Independent watchmakers as we have told you so far, would all seem like crazy scientists, who go so far as to create watches out of all logic, worthy of a James Bond or Stark Trek movie. However, there is also a circle of watchmakers with more classic and poetic creations, such as F.P. Journe, Philippe Dufour.
I think that aesthetically the Akrivia brand is positioned halfway between the most extravagant and the most elegant creations. Watches like the AK04 or AK06 take a unique and totally opposite approach to the sobriety of the Chronomètre Contemporain.
Now let’s find out what independent watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi has reserved for us with this RRCC02.
The Hagmann case: pure perfection for the Chronomètre Contemporain II
In this article we will talk about very niche topics but try to follow the flow. The case is one of the components of watches in general, right? It is often neglected, to give space to the aesthetics of the dial, but it remains for me one of the fundamental parts, both in terms of functionality and in terms of design.
Hagmann is one of the most celebrated case-makers among watch experts and the RCCC02 boasts its name as a builder.
I remember that Remy-Julia of Christie’s let me discover it in 2019, at OnlyWatch. I was with Vittorino and a dear friend of ours for the exhibition of the auction pieces in Munich. Remy stopped with us to show us all these unique creations and focused in particular on Akrivia’s watch: the Chronomètre Contemporain piece unique. He took the watch in his hand and turned the case, showing us a small signature engraved on the back of the handle: it is an “H” by Jean-Pierre Hagmann.
In the new Chronomètre Contemporain II we notice a truly perfect case, classic but with a modern approach, slightly elongated and faceted lugs compared to the RRCC01. As @pieceunique points out, the lugs of the RRCC02 are reminiscent of those of the Patek Philippe 2499 with Emile Vichet case (another particularly celebrated casemaker).
The construction is really complex compared to such a minimalist aesthetic. 15 pieces in total are assembled to make this timepiece and each of them has been redesigned (this means that it will not be possible to interchange any pieces between the RRCC01 and the RCCC02). Available in platinum or 5N rose gold, both in 38mm diameter. Can we ask for more?
The new caliber of the RRCC02
Akrivia describes this caliber as a déjà vu, like a lucid dream that comes true.
The sapphire caseback allows us to admire the main attraction of this creation. If symmetry is what stimulates your mind, you can rest assured that the new Chronomètre Contemporain II – RRCC02 will do its job.
While it may be mistaken for the first edition, the RRCC01 that won the GPHG in 2018, the new caliber sports jumping seconds, plus hacking and zero reset of them. In a nutshell, when you pull the crown out to set the hours and minutes, the seconds will stop and reset to 0, allowing you to set the time precisely. Rexhep Rexhepi focused on this double function, underlining that it is not a mere show of watchmaking technique, but it’s useful and robust (not a fuction just to show-off his skills), which will give particular satisfaction when feeling the “click” while extracting the crown.
The mechanism is equipped with a symmetrical bridge that supports two separate barrels, one dedicated to supplying power to the hours and minutes function, and the other dedicated to supplying it to the jumping seconds. In this way, for each of the functions there is no chance for them to be inaccurate, plus the jumping seconds will jump crisply as time flows.
Regarding accuracy, significant improvements have been made over the RRCC01. The balance wheel was replaced with one equipped with screws for adjustment, as opposed to the previous one which had small weights. This gives 60% more inertia, and the spring provides 40% more torque. This allows the clock to receive energy more consistently, thus becoming more precise, a true “chronomètre”.
Two unique enamel dials: one for platinum and one for rose gold
The new Chronomètre Contemporain II was presented in two different editions, one in platinum and one in rose gold, exactly like the first edition. I must say that this choice is always appreciable, because it opens up the options for collectors who prefer one type of metal over another, but at the same time, it can be really difficult to choose just 1!
The dials are both made of enamel with the Grand Feu technique. In the 5N pink gold model we have an ivory toned enamel, with black numbers (also in enamel), while in black we have a ‘piano black’ enamelled dial, with white numbers and a sub-dial with a hand-made grated finish, covered with translucent gray enamel.
The hands of the rose gold model are distinguished in particular by the purple color, obtained after having them cooked at about 800 degrees!
Conclusions
The commitment of this young independent watchmaker is getting more and more noticed and we have seen it from how this novelty has been particularly celebrated on Instagram and on the web. Personally I think the platinum version is very refined and I love the grated sub-dial for the jumping seconds, at the same time, however, the color of the ivory combined with the rose gold case is what won me over.
We are curious to know what you think and if you knew Akrivia’s creations!
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