Akrivia Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II (RRCC II): Despite Looking Similar to its Predecessor, Everything is New

Credits: Article and images by Elizabeth Doerr @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/09/03/akrivia-rexhep-rexhepi-chronometre-contemporain-ii-rrcc-ii-despite-looking-similar-to-its-predecessor-everything-is-new-reprise/

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Akrivia Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II (RRCC II): Caliber RRCC02

But now we come to the meat of this watch: the entirely new caliber that is equally as focused on chronometric precision as the first model was. “This was the hardest part of the new watch,” Rexhepi admitted to me as we discussed the RRCC II in his peaceful conference room while I handled prototypes of the two new watches. “This movement represents evolution, but not better than before,” he explained in an excited way, obviously proud and happy to finally be talking about the new watch after such a long development time.

Sensational view through the display back of the pink gold Akrivia Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II (RRCC II)

Symmetry is a hallmark of Rexhepi’s work, and in keeping with this Caliber RRCC02 is outfitted with two gear trains and twin barrels, all arranged symmetrically to ensure a precise and consistent motion of the deadbeat second hand, which makes one jump per second – much like the motion of a quartz watch. That hand has center stage in its own subsidiary dial and is very much the star of the show, as it should be on a chronometer.

Driven by components called a flirt and a star, the chronometric precision of the second hand is powered by its own gear train, thereby eliminating energy drain on the timekeeping and regulating organ, which also has its own gear train. This results in unbelievable accuracy, even if it seems like a lot to get there.

Rexhepi told me that since 2018 he has been working a lot on the balance wheel and inertia in particular; Caliber RRCC02 therefore has a new free-sprung variable-inertia balance, the gold standard for especially precise movements.

The amount of work done by hand that goes into this movement is astounding, mainly because Rexhepi’s workshop uses traditional hand-driven equipment like lathes and milling machines to make components. These are authentically handmade movements.

Sensational view through the display back of the platinum Akrivia Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II (RRCC II)

Then there’s the finishing. The base plate and bridges are made of German silver, a notoriously difficult material to work with. These components and all others are hand-finished using traditional techniques including Geneva waves, perlage, black-polished steel parts that include screws and the balance bridge, and polished countersinks for jewels and screws. The anglage includes inside angles, which is most stunningly illustrated by just the wheels of the dual gear trains, which have hand-polished bevels on the spokes, resulting in 140 inner angles!

The overall result of all this is an incredible lightness that becomes apparent when you look at the back of the watch, which is very justifiably entirely transparent to reveal every square millimeter of the gorgeous movement – a movement that is absolutely radiant, glowing with honesty and talent. Even my own pictures of it still strike me this way.

To list all the various new elements of the RRCC II as they relate to the movement of the RRCC here would be a somewhat uninteresting exercise in “Spot the Difference.” But the main distinction is the addition of the deadbeat function to seconds that already hack and reset to zero when the crown is pulled and the second gear train that powers it with the goal of more accuracy. Going to this much trouble to make an already very accurate watch even more precise is pretty astounding for a watchmaker and a brand who are experiencing the degree of success that Rexhepi’s Akrivia is currently experiencing.

Akrivia Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II (RRCC II) in platinum with black enamel dial

The Akrivia Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II is limited to just 50 pieces each – a total of 100 watches – which will take Akrivia a few years to complete. And the workshop has been inundated with requests for the watch. “The demand is about 20 times more than we can accommodate,” Rexhepi confirmed.

If you’re not one of the lucky potential buyers allotted an Akrivia Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II, you may want to see what Akrivia brings out next. I think we may be graced with another edition from the super-interesting AK series, but we’ll have to wait to find out if that’s true. Rexhepi wasn’t spilling the beans this time. But I’m sure by my next visit, there could be a bit more to tell.

For more information, please visit akrivia.com/watch/chronometre-contemporain-rexhep-rexhepi-2.

Quick Facts Akrivia Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II
Case: 38 x 8.75 mm, platinum or pink gold
Dial: black oven-fired enamel dial with recessed subsidiary seconds dial in translucent grey enamel over a hand-engraved gratté pattern (platinum case); white enamel (pink gold case)
Movement: manually wound Caliber RRCC02 with 82-hour power reserve; 21,600 vph/3 Hz frequency, twin gear trains, German silver base plate and bridges, free-sprung variable inertia balance
Functions: hours, minutes, hacking deadbeat subsidiary seconds with zero reset
Limitation: 50 pieces in each metal
Price: CHF 125,000

* This article was first published at Akrivia Rexhep Rexhepi Chronomètre Contemporain II (RRCC II): Despite Looking Similar To Its Predecessor, Everything Is New