Why the RRCHF Is the Most Anticipated Rexhep Rexhepi Watch in Years

There are watchmakers who produce on a schedule, and then there is Rexhep Rexhepi — a Geneva-based independent whose every release feels less like a product launch and more like a cultural event for serious collectors. The RRCHF, his first new reference in nearly three years, is a flyback chronograph of considerable mechanical complexity, and it arrives at a moment when the independent watch world is hungrier than ever for work that feels genuinely handcrafted rather than simply marketed as such. For Asia-Pacific collectors who think nothing of flying to Geneva for a private viewing or commissioning a piece through a trusted dealer in Tokyo or Hong Kong, this watch represents exactly the kind of obsessive, unhurried creation they have been waiting for.

Rexhepi founded his atelier, Akrivia, in Geneva after training at some of the most demanding schools in Swiss horology. He has always worked in very limited numbers — sometimes producing fewer than a dozen pieces of a single reference per year — which means that access to his work is itself a luxury. The RRCHF continues that tradition while pushing the technical envelope further than anything he has released before, incorporating a flyback function into a movement architecture that remains unmistakably his own.

What Makes the RRCHF Mechanically Extraordinary

A flyback chronograph is among the most demanding complications in traditional watchmaking. Unlike a standard chronograph, which requires the wearer to stop, reset, and restart the timing function in three separate actions, a flyback mechanism collapses all three into a single push of the pusher — the hands fly back to zero and immediately begin counting again. Executing this cleanly, without the movement stuttering or the hands jumping erratically, demands an exceptional level of finishing and engineering precision. Rexhepi has spent years studying historical examples from the golden age of Swiss complications, and the RRCHF reflects that deep archival research.

The watch is built around a movement that Rexhepi has developed in-house, consistent with Akrivia's commitment to genuine manufacture. Every bridge, every wheel, every lever is finished by hand to a standard that most major Swiss houses have long since abandoned in favour of industrial efficiency. The result is a timepiece that rewards close inspection — one that looks different under a loupe than it does in a photograph, which is precisely the point for collectors who understand the difference.

How to Experience Rexhep Rexhepi's Work as a Weekend Collector

For UHNW collectors based in Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, or Shanghai, the most direct path to Akrivia's work is through a private appointment at the atelier in Geneva — a visit that pairs naturally with a long weekend at one of the city's landmark hotels. Geneva's Hôtel des Bergues or the Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues offer the kind of discreet, unhurried hospitality that suits a collector's itinerary: mornings at the atelier, afternoons along the lake, evenings at the hotel's celebrated restaurant. Rexhepi is known for receiving serious collectors personally, and those conversations — about the philosophy behind each reference, the choices made in the movement architecture — are themselves part of the luxury of owning an Akrivia.

Alternatively, select authorised dealers in Asia occasionally host private salons where Rexhepi's work is shown by appointment. These events, usually intimate by design with no more than a handful of guests, allow collectors to handle the watches in a relaxed setting without the pressure of a boutique environment. Enquiries are best made directly through Akrivia's Geneva office, where the team can advise on upcoming opportunities across the region.

• Complication: Flyback chronograph with in-house movement
• Production volume: Extremely limited — typically fewer than a dozen pieces per reference
• Access: Private appointment at the Geneva atelier or select authorised dealers in Asia
• Price range: Available on application; consistent with top-tier independent horology

Akrivia — Atelier Rexhep Rexhepi

📍 Geneva, Switzerland

📞 Contact via website for private appointments

🌐 Website

The Verdict

The RRCHF is not a watch you stumble upon — it is one you pursue, and that pursuit is part of its appeal. For collectors across Asia who treat horology as a serious weekend discipline rather than a passive hobby, Rexhep Rexhepi's return with his most complex reference yet is a genuine occasion. Whether you plan a long weekend in Geneva around a private atelier visit or wait for an intimate salon closer to home, the RRCHF rewards patience in exactly the way its maker intended. Reach out to Akrivia directly to register your interest and discuss availability.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RRCHF and why is it significant?

The RRCHF is Rexhep Rexhepi's first new watch reference in nearly three years, featuring a flyback chronograph complication built around an in-house movement. It is significant because it represents the most mechanically ambitious work the independent Geneva watchmaker has released to date, arriving at a moment of intense collector interest in genuine handcraft horology.

How does a flyback chronograph differ from a standard chronograph?

A standard chronograph requires three separate actions to stop, reset, and restart the timing function. A flyback chronograph condenses all three into a single pusher action — the hands return to zero and immediately begin counting again. This demands a higher level of movement engineering and finishing to execute cleanly.

How can collectors in Asia access Akrivia watches?

The most direct route is a private appointment at the Akrivia atelier in Geneva, which pairs well with a collector's weekend in the city. Select authorised dealers in Asia also host occasional private salons. Enquiries should be directed to Akrivia's Geneva office, which can advise on regional availability and upcoming events.

How many pieces does Rexhep Rexhepi produce each year?

Production is extremely limited — often fewer than a dozen pieces per reference annually. This scarcity is deliberate, reflecting the time required for hand-finishing each movement to the standard Rexhepi demands, and it is a significant part of the appeal for serious collectors.

What is the price of the RRCHF?

Pricing is available on application through Akrivia directly. As with all of Rexhepi's references, the RRCHF sits firmly within the upper tier of independent horology pricing, reflecting the level of hand-craftsmanship and the extremely limited production numbers involved.