Baselworld 2019: Stepping Into Rexhep Rexhepi's World Of Akrivia

From his very first timepiece, AK-01 Tourbillon Monopusher Chronograph, to the Tourbillon Barrette Mirroir, Rexhep has shown his mastery of horology while always bringing forward his own interpretation. Whether enhanced with a traditional complication – where precision rules – like the chronograph or uncluttered, with just hours and minutes, in the AK-02. Akrivia’s tourbillons demonstrate young’s Rexhep talent. 
 

With the AK-06, Rexhep asserts once more his difference and unique style. The timekeeper summarizes all the codes that define the workshop. The master watchmaker loves to highlight the central element at 12 o’clock. The column wheel on the AK-01, the striking hammer on the AK-03, the power reserve for the AK-06. The latter revisits entirely the movement of her elder to focus solely on the time display and the 100 hours power reserve mechanism delivered by a single barrel. Horological precision is at the center of Akrivia’s philosophy.
 

Delighted by such precision, happy owners can indulge in admiring the finishing achieved in the atelier. On the face, the signature hand-hammering is stellar, reflecting every ray of light. Surfaces alternate mirror polishing, circular brushing, blued hands, beveled and polished angles. Craftsmanship from fine watchmaking is illustrated in this resolutely modern timepiece. Movement side, we border on the sublime: perfectly executed Geneva stripes provide a frame of rarely achieved symmetry. One understands immediately why Rexhep is often compared to the best master watchmakers. Not a single surface remains untouched by the artistic craft of the atelier. It is mesmerizing!
 

His latest creation, the Chronometre Contemporain in the Rexhep Rexhepi collection, provides a more traditional interpretation of these standards…that are everything but standard. Introduced in 2018, this timekeeper was met with resounding success. Do not bother looking for it, every single piece has been sold already. But word on the grapevine has it that a second version is in gestation. One start dreaming, hoping again.
 

If you swing by Baselworld in the Ateliers, you might just have the chance to see some of his exceptional timepieces in their finalized versions. Highly recommended for every true fine watchmaking lover.
 

(Photography by Pierre Vogel)