Photo Tour of Rexhep Rexhepi’s AkriviA Workshop
At the Bench
During both SIHH and the week following Baselworld we had the chance to stop by the AkriviA workshop in Geneva’s Old Town. The very place where Rexhep Rexhepi’s GPHG-winning Chronomètre Contemporain is made.
Being able to visit a watch workshop is one thing, but meeting the person behind the watch is something else. It has to be one of the most rewarding experiences for watch collectors, because who better to discuss the inner workings of the watch than the person responsible for its design and construction. It’s this traceability that partly accounts for the growing interest in the independent watchmaking scene.
Rexhep Rexhepi at work. Sitting at the far end of the workshop allows him to oversee the work of the other watchmakers at AkriviA.
Independent watchmakers, such as AkriviA are impressive not only for the variety of work performed but also the level of mastery exhibited.
Calibre RR-01 (RR standing for Rexhep Rexhepi): Symmetrical in its construction and officially certified by the Besançon Chronometer Observatory.
Rexhep Rexhepi wearing a rose gold Chronomètre Contemporain. Also made in platinum with a white grand feu dial.
The workshop is bathed in both natural and artificial light. Years ago Swiss farmers would convert the top floors of their barns into workshops to work on clocks and watches, taking advantage of the ample light needed to work on intricate mechanisms.
Xhevdet Rexhepi wearing an AkriviA AK-04: Tourbillon Regulateur with hand made blue dial.
Traditional watchmaking tools alongside ‘modern tools’ from the 21st-century
Equipment for thermal blueing of hour markers, dials and other components
Situated in Old Town Geneva, the area boats narrow cobble-stone streets, galleries and fantastic views over the city.
Winner of the Men’s Prize at the 2018 Edition of the GPHG
Where it all began, Rexhep Rexhepi’s Patek Philippe school pocket watch
Rexhep commenced his apprenticeship at Patek Philippe at the age of 15. After which he worked at Patek Philippe and by 20 was heading up the innovative complication workshop, BNB Concept.
AK-04: Tourbillon Regulateur
AK-06: Hour Minute Second with stop balance, zero-reset and 100 hours of power reserve
At the heart of every watch made on site is an AkriviA movement. Designed, made, finished and assembled in-house, every watch lives up to the name of the brand, standing for ‘precision’ in Greek.
Left to Right: AK-04: Tourbillon Regulateur with hand hammered dial, AK-04: Tourbillon Regulateur with blue dial, AK-04: Tourbillon Regulateur with handmade traditional sand-blasting dial.
For more on Akrivia, links below or visit their website.
