mahesh
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Today, Rexhep launches an elegantly designed Flyback Chronograph…the RRCHF
Chronographs has been one of the favourite complications among connoisseurs since Longines launched the very first Chronograph wrist watch in 1913 ! There has been legendary chronograph movements.
Indeed Chronographs are one of the most complicated movements to design, quite architectural, visually engaging and Datograph has set a standard for finishing so what could be done better on such complication ??
Today, Rexhep launches an elegantly designed Flyback Chronograph…the RRCHF
But before talking about the new timepiece, few things from the rear-view mirror,
I first time heard about Rexhep Rexhepi somewhere In Spring 2015. During NYC Horological seminar Q&A THE legendary Kari Voutilainen mentioned Rexhep Rexhepi the next promising watchmaker….Few months after Rexhep launched his Tourbillon Hour Minute nicknamed AK02 from his Atelier AkriviA. The timepiece was bold, minimal, and stood out of the rest.
Since AK01 in 2012, Rexhep has successfully launched 8 timepieces and 1 collaboration with the LVMH. He has won 2 GPHG awards till date.
I observe 2 elements that stands out about his success….
1 ) Recognisable design codes and Consistency : Symmetrical movement architecture, Well balanced aesthetics, Painstakingly high level of hand-finishing.
2) Focused extension of savoir-faires…. in other words, an extended circle of competence of his Atelier,
- In 2017, Atelier conventional case making with the mentoring of legendary JP Hagmann,
- In 2019, in-house hand-made watch straps,
- In 2024, in-house dial including grand-feu enamel,
- And very recently in 2025, school for watchmakers !
So what could connoisseurs and collectors expect ?!
A very classically designed and handmade Central Flyback Chronograph by Rexhep Rexhepi from Atelier AkriviA !
Nicknamed RRCHF, the timepiece comes in 2 versions,
- Platinum case with a Stormy-blue grand-feu enamel dial with grey-tinted sapphire counters
- Rose-gold case with a classic Black grand-feu enamel dial grey-tinted sapphire counters
Classically proportioned case measures 38,8mm x 9,7mm with a lug-to-lug distance of 48,8mm and a lug width of 20mm.
Norwegian center stitch on the Nubuck calf leather strap adds character while complementing the case and dial.
The heart of the timepiece, built with 320 components anchored on 30 jewels the movement has ample of inner-angles, polished chamfers…at the highest level finishing, as one could expect from Rexhep.
The movement beats at 21,600 vph and has a 72 hours power reserve from single barrel.
The dials are grand-feu enamel coming from the in-house dial atelier. The dial layout is symmetrical too with the primary time at 12’o clock and running seconds at 7’o clock. The sub-counter at 5’o clock displays the instantaneous minute for chronograph function.
The dial shows lovely details, the central chronograph seconds hand and the instantaneous minute hand has been tempered to give a coppery hue to the steel hands.
Personally I like the Stormy blue dial, quite original colour for a grand-feu enamel and in juxtaposition with tinted sapphire counters it is modern and a tad flamboyant.
An interesting nuance, the stepped bezel on both back and front bringing visual harmony from the face and the side of the timepiece.
I reckon, Rexhep has done something impressive….a symmetrical flyback chronograph movement (very first ?!) combined with the highest standards of Atelier AkriviA.
The timepiece is priced at CHF150k without VAT. There could be minor differences between the 2 different cases.
I’m eager to see one in metal hopefully soon…
Share your thoughts.
Best,
Mahesh.,
Today, Rexhep launches an elegantly designed Flyback Chronograph…the RRCHF
Chronographs has been one of the favourite complications among connoisseurs since Longines launched the very first Chronograph wrist watch in 1913 ! There has been legendary chronograph movements. Indeed Chronographs are one of the most complicated moveme...
true, RG + Black enamel is very classy combination...
I love the blue enamel, unusual but works well with Pt case.
Gorgeous movement Mahesh!
But less sure about the dial. Also I am quite surprised that a watch with a 38.8mm diameter has a lug to lug of 48.8mm. That is 10mm of lugs so the watch will probably wear quite large for the smaller wristed folk. I salute Rexhep for keeping the thicknes...
thanks Sham...I like the symmetry maintained on movement...quite challenging for a chronograph architecture
I'm sure you like the Black enamel...I lean more towards Stormy-blue as this is something that was never done before I suppose
I must confess
that I am biased against chronographs in general as I prefer a watch with an uncluttered dial even if it is a chronograph like my DB8 monopusher ...
Agreed!
Rexhep's chronograph's movement to me is a lot more attractive than the ones produced by Patek, Lange and Minerva. Less fussy yet terribly beautiful and unbelievably symmetrical.
Such an amazing piece Would be the crown of any collection
Would love to own one Julian
Amazing watch, amazing watchmaker, amazing article
What can I say? 🤷♂️ Absolutely mouthwatering… 🙈
Wow ….
Was looking forward to the reveal when I saw the initial teasers. This looks amazing….!
thank you...valid points.
I think Rexhep aim to put the complication in centrestage of the timepiece and the sub-counters positions are driven a choice...to have an aesthetically symmetric movement I found the below picture from Hodinkee explains well visually the choice of positi...
What an illuminating visual comparison! PP or ALS without a shadow of a doubt for me!
The movement drawn by Rexhep looks and feels cold and robust rather than refined to me (if that makes sense)... Best, Emmanuel
sure...Datograph has been absolute stunner and a legend which forced everyone to rethink in-house chronograph so no doubt...
while most others are built on Lemania base, the approach stands different here... true it might not be appealing in the same way as others as it hits differently.
It definitely hits very differently !
And I can understand that it appeals a lot to some. But definitely not to me.
Love it
I am confused why his prices are so low relative to what the watches really sell for. He should charge much more.
Beyond being exquisite
The price almost sounds like a bargain compared to some of the competition, including some of the tier-1 steel sports watches.
Thank you very much, dear Mahesh, for this breaking news, the precise information and these first images.
Premature reactions based solely on digital renderings don't make much sense. But here are my first impressions... The case and bezel design is the only thing that spontaneously appeals to me. On the dial, I don't like the transparent subdials at all (I m...
the timepiece is to be seen in metal...hopefully soon in coming weeks !
I see your point on the sub dials...I've seen something on a very early version of AkriviA - it hits different. the nod to CC1/2 on the hour counter doesn't bother me...because it is the DNA and Patek does it to, kind of nod to the past. ...
This Akrivia is something completely different.
But let’s stick to the new Chronograph: how do you feel about the hour hand? About the loooong counterweight of the chronograph hand? So strange and unappealing to me (based on photos only, of course)…
personally not a fan of hour and minute hand in deed
but central chronograph I don't find it so difficult to accept...as I've seen the timepiece. It is similar to old central seconds pocket watch chronographs I think
I understand that everyone's tastes are different and there is nothing objective about it
But I really don't like the look of this watch, at all.
I feel exactly like you.
We are probably in the minority (and we are judging from photos only, let’s not forget that) but, like you, I find the first impression to be far from appealing… Best, Emmanuel
Maybe in the minority
In my private discussions with other collectors, that sentiment is shared. But publicly and in the media...a different story.
true...I hear about it too...but practically speaking for Indies' making 35-50 watches these opinions doesn't affect much as often the person who has the opinion is not the 35-50 person who subscribe the timepiece
I hope the market resets and collectors remain in this hobby...today too many speculators and people buy watches for wrong reasons sadly !
comparison would be cool & interesting...
technically both are traditional horizontal-clutch column wheel chronograph mechanism so pusher feel might be similar vs Patek... we need to wait for some comparison video I suppose.
Well…. My feelings about the watch and brand
And the blown out of proportion hype … ...
I especially love chronographs and where this brand is heading . . .
However, I can’t exactly nail it but I really want to love this one. But something just seems off. Perhaps it’s the dial execution.🤷 Hopefully I will have an opportunity to see one in the flesh for final judgement.🤞Thanks for posting, Mahesh!🥂 ...
thanks and hope you see one in metal soon !
I had such challenge with PP5960 for long time seeing the pics and videos but then seeing one in person changed my opinion a lot !
