In 2018, five years after founding his Geneva atelier Akrivia, the celebrated independent watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi introduced the Chronomètre Contemporain, the first watch to bear his name on the dial. A time-only watch displaying hours, minutes, and seconds, it came in two pared-back versions: a platinum case with an immaculate Grand Feu enamel dial and a rose gold case with a black enamel dial.
Lauded for its simple yet distinctive aesthetics, the piece won the Men’s Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2018. But there was substance behind the style: The movement, calibre RR-01, is pleasingly symmetrical, a Rexhepi signature. What’s more, it was developed and assembled entirely in-house, using the finest finishing techniques, such as anglage in a rounded, bombé style, Côtes de Genève on the movement plates, and perlage on the base plate—all executed flawlessly, another Rexhepi hallmark. A highly sought-after second series, introduced in 2022, underscored the degree to which the Chronomètre Contemporain was a turning point for the hot young maker: Before the model came out, he was a promising contender on the indie watchmaking scene. After, he was king.
From the article by Allen Farmelo, Paige Reddinger, Victoria Gomelsky, Oren Hartov, Blake Buettner
