Rexhep Rexhepi continues with his journey as a top tier independent with the release of this new Chrono Flyback. Here is what we know about the RRCHF.
New: Rexhep Rexhepi Chrono Flyback
The Rexhep Rexhepi Chrono Flyback RRCHF has a retail of CHF 150,000 for either the platinum or the rose gold version. Price is before taxes.
In an interesting release following up to immense popularity of his RRCC series, now sadly unobtainium, Rexhep releases a followup opus. Rexhep told me in a private meeting in November last year that a new watch is imminent, but would not say what or when. So when news arrived under embargo, it was a very interesting reveal to me, which we now share with you.
FOR ME, A WATCH IS A PERFORMANCE.
I created this watch with that same conviction. Since the AK-01 in 2012, my quality standards have only grown sharper, shaped over time.
This flyback chronograph is the result of relentless pursuit of every detail: harmonious proportions, an aesthetic both balanced and bold and generous hand-decorations.
Today, everything is born at the heart of our workshops. From the cases to the grand feu enamel dials, from the movement to the hand-stitched straps, every step passes through our hands.
It is this freedom that gives the timepiece its character. This craftsmanship is refined everyday; it evolves and is passed down through the generations.
The watch, known as RRCHF is an integrated chronograph with flyback in a manually winding movement to be offered in two launch variations in two case metals. One in platinum and the other in rose gold. Both are the same case measuring 38.8mm. The platinum model features an in-house stormy blue grand feu enamel dial with grey tinted sapphire glass sub-dials, and the rose gold model has a black grand feu enamel dial, also with grey tinted sub-dials.
As a full blooded chronograph, the center of stage is taken by the centrally mounted chronograph seconds hand. This hand is very slender and long, spanning almost the entire diameter of the dial (though not quite, it is longer on one side than the other), and is just a needle with a round counterweight on the shorter end. The hour and minutes are in a subdial below the 12 o’clock position and is a sapphire glass within an aperture in the base grand feu enamel dial (as noted, stormy blue or black). This allows a part of the movement behind the dial to be partially visible. The other two subdials, are for the continuously running seconds by 8 o’clock and the instantaneous minute totaliser by 4 o’clock. All three sub-dials have markings in white on the tinted sapphire glass
The movement is laid out in the typical 12-6 symmetry signature of Rexhep. The movement appears to be in maillchort (German silver), though the release does not provide details. At top of the movement is the bridge which carries the mainspring. This is a rather large bridge and it partially covers the barrel. It carries the branding verbiage and a large barrel jewel. A center bridge is built like a typical tourbillon bridge, but is attached to the two cocks carrying the fourth wheel and the chronograph works. This is the bridge for the canon wheel and it is finished with black polish, while the cocks receive côtes de Genève. If we were to guess, this bridge is made from stainless steel, while the bridges are also in maillchort. The bridge is flat with chamfered edges (anglage) and an enlarged center portion surrounding the jewel. The bridge looks very beautifully executed, but we think this is a somewhat a simpler style than in the CC1, where he used a polished conical bridge to hold the canon jewel.
Rexhep uses a lateral clutch system, and this is partially visible under bridges. The last bridge carries the balance wheel, and its jewel which is set in what looks like a steel cap acting a chaton secured by screws.
Needless to say, judging only from the photographs and previous knowledge of Rexhep’s finishing philosophy, the finishing is at the ultra high level. This is the standard we have come to expect from Rexhep. The finnisage features côtes de Genève, polished inward angles, black polishing, poli-bercé and circular engraving. All executed to an exceptionally high level.
The case is either in platinum or rose gold, and is shaped rather conventionally. The lugs are elongated and have a strong curve to hug the wrist. This looks like a three piece case, with a bayonet style screw down case back, machined to take a special tool for removal. The case middle extend into the soldered lugs. The upper bezel is stepped to create dimensionality. Two large pill shaped pushers with rounded and chamfered tops are the activation devices for the chronograph. The crown is rather large and features a ribbed corrugation to improve grip. The case has a water resistant rating of 30m.
The Press Release includes crossword puzzle, with no further instructions. I am guessing we cross out the words in the bottom, and end up with letters to form the two words at the top. And Jeffrry L. is the creator of this puzzle. I have an answer. What is your guess on the hidden word?
The CHF150k price tag also strikes us as particularly reasonable. Especially when RRCC1 and RRCC2 retails for a similar pricing for time only watches, and these command a very hefty premium in the secondary market.
Rexhep Rexhepi RRCHF Specifications
DISPLAY Hours, minutes, running seconds hand. Central flyback chronograph and instantaneous minute counter.
CASE Platinum and rose gold | 38.8 mm x 9.70 mm, lug width * 38.8 mm x 9.70 mm (without crystals), lug width * 20 mm, length from lug to lug : 48.8 mm. Made with 52 components. * Water resistant to 3 ATM (30 meters). Screw-down case back aligned to the center of the lugs. Sapphire on top and bottom.
POWER RESERVE 72 hours
FREQUENCY 21’600 vph
DIAL Platinum: in-house stormy blue Enamel Grand Feu with grey-tinted sapphire counters * Rose Gold: in-house black Enamel Grand Feu with grey-tinted sapphire counters
HANDS Polished rounded-off steel, with a step at the tip of the minute and central seconds hand (the latter is also curved). The chronograph hands feature certain areas that have been tempered to a coppery hue.
NUMBER OF COMPONENTS 320 components * 20 jewels.
DECORATION Hand-decorated côtes de Genève, polished inwards angles, black polished, poli-bercé, circular graining.
STRAP Platinum: Light grey nubuck calf skin leather with a Norwegian center stitch made in-house * Rose gold: Taupe nubuck calf skin leather with a Norwegian center stitch made in-house.