Rexhep Rexhepi - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2024 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rexhep Rexhepi
    Year: 2019
    Reference No: RRCC1
    Movement No: N°3
    Model Name: Chronomètre Contemporain
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Manual, cal. RR-01, 19 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum pin buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rexhep Rexhepi fitted box, Certificate of Origin and Warranty, letter to the owner, leather wallet, outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rexhep Rexhepi is certainly one of the most exciting independent watchmakers to emerge in the past years garnering almost cult-like status.

    Thanks to the immense success of the Chronomètre Contemporain in 2018 he became a name to be reckoned with no longer only with the independent watch cognoscenti but amongst the wider horological world.

    Rexhepi is however far from an overnight sensation, having built his brand on hard work, talent and “blood sweat and tears”. At the age of 14, Rexhepi began his horological career with an apprenticeship at Patek Philippe and moving up as watchmaker, focusing on tourbillons. He later joined F.P. Journe and BNB before opening his own ateliers.

    He named his brand Akrivia, inspired by the Greek word for precision and immediately created a design language with his somewhat tonneau shaped watches with flamboyant dials.

    The Chronomètre Contemporain was a breakthrough in many ways, it was his first round watch but also his first watch to feature his name Rexhep Rexhepi and not Akrivia.

    The model was made in either pink gold with black enamel dial or platinum with a white enamel dial, each version limited to just 25 pieces.

    The dial is further enhanced with an Art-Deco-esque asymmetrical outline that highlights each Roman numeral in an alternating pattern. Adding depth and dimension to the dial, the small seconds is positioned in a recessed sub-register at 6’oclock, surrounded by a delicate gilded ring—a subtle detail that was not included in the initial prototype.

    The impeccable quality of the movement that powers the Chronomètre Contemporain is as to be expected from Rexhep Rexhepi and his small team of artisans. An architectural dream, the unusually symmetrical caliber RR-01 is not only appealing but is also a testament to its mechanical prowess. The movement is equipped with a hacking-second and zero-reset mechanism that allows the small seconds hand to pause and revert to zero when the winding crown is pulled. This function is rarely incorporated into wristwatches and maximises precision when time is being set via a heart-shaped cam beneath the small seconds hand, akin to the resetting mechanism in a chronograph. A single barrel that rotates on a central jewelled steel bridge, similar to ones used for a tourbillon carriage, is also employed, resulting in up to 100 hours of power reserve.

    The finishing of the caliber RR-01 is faultless, showing off a ranging display of hand polished surfaces on every plate and bridge, around every turn and corner. Each anglage on both visible and concealled parts of the movement are rounded, in the bombé style, and requires the most skilled and experienced artisans to achieve manually. Adhering to the traditional standards of Genevan haute horology, the movement plates are decorated with deep, defined Côtes de Genève stripes. A spotlight is shone on certain components with a suave black polishing, such as the cap for the balance cock. Smaller details, like the perlage finishes on the base plate, are tastefully executed, bringing the movement’s entire aesthetic to a whole new level of classic, while richly adorned with details.

    We are proud to offer the very first platinum Chronomètre Contemporain that comes to an international auction room.

Σ58

Ref. RRCC1
An exceptionally rare, platinum wristwatch with white Grand Feu enamel dial, zero-reset function, certificate of origin and presentation box, number 3 of a limited edition of 25 pieces

2019
38mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF300,000 - 600,000 
€307,000-613,000
$328,000-656,000

Sold for CHF1,155,700

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIX featuring the Guido Mondani Collection

Geneva Auction 11 - 12 May 2024