THE CHRONOMETRE CONTEMPORAIN
THE CHRONOMETRE CONTEMPORAIN
The sapphire case back reveals the stunning RR01 hand-wound caliber . It is a new manual winding , hour , minute and seconds movement design with chronometer precision . It incorporates a hacking second and zero-reset mechanism and functions at 18,000 vph , using a variable inertia balance with four adjustment screws and Breguet overcoil . The single barrel delivers up to 100 hours of power reserve centered on a jeweled pivot .
Hidden underneath the dial , the cleverly designed stop seconds and the zero-reset mechanism are inspired by the all-or-nothing mechanism found in minute repeaters . It uses a tiny spring that makes contact with the balance wheel to stop it while the small seconds hand is reset thanks using a heart-shaped cam . This is all activated by simply pulling the crown out to set the exact time .
Available in two versions : Red gold with black grand feu enamel dial ( CHF 55,500 ) and platinum with white grand feu enamel dial ( CHF 58,000 ).
Can you discuss some details of your Chronometre Contemporain ? One of the first things you see is the asymmetrical , inward curving case profile that scoops along the sides ; for me this contrasts nicely with the rather ‘ strict ’ look of the Roman numeral dial and gives the overall design a relaxed feeling . There was a conscious decision for a 38mm size , so the watch will look really elegant in different situations . The dial has been given a large subdial for the running seconds , like you might find on ship ’ s clocks or chronometers used for timing observations . That fits the movement concept that is based on creating very high chronometric results .
Each of these watches will easily fulfill a stringent control at the Besançon Observatory , higher than the usual COSC certification .
The lugs are also longer than usual , inspired by vintage originals ; this makes for a very comfortable fit and gives the watch an elegant streamline . The enamel dials of course also refer to some of the ‘ golden times ’ in dial production ; it gives a completely different effect compared to a metal dial , and this opens up other kinds of possibilities for me to work with .
I already have people asking for special versions , but right now I simply want to produce these two versions , in red gold and platinum .
YOUNG TALENT
There is no question in my mind that Rexhep Rexhepi is one of the youngest and most important new talents in the world of Swiss watchmaking . When I left Baselworld , I was totally smitten by how good the prototype Chronometre Contemporain looked on my wrist , and it was hard to get it out of my mind . Even more difficult to get off my mind was the constant musing about what Rexhep Rexhepi and Akrivia will be creating in the years to come . I , for one , in any case , plan to stay tuned – full time .
SUMMER 2018 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 123