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Lot Essay
Akrivia wristwatches are a contemporary phenomenon. Rexhep Rexhepi, the genius watchmaker behind the brand is a master of mixing tradition with innovation, marrying respect for the past with inspired free-thinking invention. Every Akrivia watch is individually made with incredible attention to detail and meticulous finishing of every part whether seen or unseen. Naturally, demand for Akrivia watches far exceeds supply and because each watch is made individually, the end client’s input is always welcomed so that any adjustments can be made to suit the owner.
Among the most desirable and coveted of contemporary independently made wristwatches, the Akrivia AK-01 was the brand’s first tourbillon wristwatch launched in 2013. Upon its release, Rexhep Rexhepi spoke of “achieving his goal of creating a highly technical and highly finished artisan watch in a contemporary case that would emphasize his aesthetic and skill level. ” The AK-01 is not only a tourbillon but also a single-button chronograph or ‘monopoussoir’. Its superb looks and design detail have already made Rexhep Rexhepi’s first masterwork a modern classic of independent watchmaking. The brushed titanium case has a recessed crown and bevel-edged wide lugs, elements to each side provide great presence and the element on the right side acts as the crown guard.
The AK-01 movement achieves at the same time technical excellence and aesthetic beauty. It showcases the breathtaking level of hand-finishing in the polishing and anglage that has played such an important part in establishing Akrivia’s reputation. The angles of the interior and exterior flanks polished by hand and also featuring manual circular graining. Indeed, the finishing of all steel parts is done by hand and the hand-engraved inscriptions are finished in pink gold. The one-minute tourbillon cage is made of titanium and weighs only 0.45 of a gram. The tourbillon is connected through its external gear to a disengaged gear at four o’clock. When the chronograph is started by the button in the crown, the two gears engage. A 60-second subsidiary dial is situated at 2 o’clock and a 30-minute register is situated at 10 o’clock with power reserve sector below. An interesting feature is that the chronograph’s column wheel at 12’oclock is visible through an aperture in the dial.
HISTORY OF THE BRAND
AKRIVIA was founded in 2012 by Rexhep Rexhepi, who was born far from Geneva but has spent a lifetime steeped in its watchmaking culture. He moved to Switzerland as a 12-year-old from his birthplace of Kosovo, and soon after arriving embarked on an apprenticeship at Patek Philippe - aged just 15. The experience at the venerable Geneva Manufacture gave Rexhep an insight into the grand history of haute horlogerie in Switzerland, and a realisation of his destiny: pursuit of horology at the highest level. He then spent a few years at F.P. Journe before establishing Akrivia to realise his vision of watchmaking. In 2018, Rexhep accomplished what he had first set out to do – seamlessly blend the past and future of Swiss watchmaking – with Chronomètre Contemporain, which won the Men’s Watch Prize at the 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
Among the most desirable and coveted of contemporary independently made wristwatches, the Akrivia AK-01 was the brand’s first tourbillon wristwatch launched in 2013. Upon its release, Rexhep Rexhepi spoke of “achieving his goal of creating a highly technical and highly finished artisan watch in a contemporary case that would emphasize his aesthetic and skill level. ” The AK-01 is not only a tourbillon but also a single-button chronograph or ‘monopoussoir’. Its superb looks and design detail have already made Rexhep Rexhepi’s first masterwork a modern classic of independent watchmaking. The brushed titanium case has a recessed crown and bevel-edged wide lugs, elements to each side provide great presence and the element on the right side acts as the crown guard.
The AK-01 movement achieves at the same time technical excellence and aesthetic beauty. It showcases the breathtaking level of hand-finishing in the polishing and anglage that has played such an important part in establishing Akrivia’s reputation. The angles of the interior and exterior flanks polished by hand and also featuring manual circular graining. Indeed, the finishing of all steel parts is done by hand and the hand-engraved inscriptions are finished in pink gold. The one-minute tourbillon cage is made of titanium and weighs only 0.45 of a gram. The tourbillon is connected through its external gear to a disengaged gear at four o’clock. When the chronograph is started by the button in the crown, the two gears engage. A 60-second subsidiary dial is situated at 2 o’clock and a 30-minute register is situated at 10 o’clock with power reserve sector below. An interesting feature is that the chronograph’s column wheel at 12’oclock is visible through an aperture in the dial.
HISTORY OF THE BRAND
AKRIVIA was founded in 2012 by Rexhep Rexhepi, who was born far from Geneva but has spent a lifetime steeped in its watchmaking culture. He moved to Switzerland as a 12-year-old from his birthplace of Kosovo, and soon after arriving embarked on an apprenticeship at Patek Philippe - aged just 15. The experience at the venerable Geneva Manufacture gave Rexhep an insight into the grand history of haute horlogerie in Switzerland, and a realisation of his destiny: pursuit of horology at the highest level. He then spent a few years at F.P. Journe before establishing Akrivia to realise his vision of watchmaking. In 2018, Rexhep accomplished what he had first set out to do – seamlessly blend the past and future of Swiss watchmaking – with Chronomètre Contemporain, which won the Men’s Watch Prize at the 2018 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.