Based on your criteria...

Apr 25, 2020,09:00 AM
 

I’d go with Kari. This isn’t an easy decision. Rexhep will undoubtedly become a legend in horology and having one of his early pieces will go a long way. I vote for Kari because you can design the entire watch. He also will work with you and give you ideas as well. It is truly artisan. I believe his finishing is comparable to Rexhep, but Rexhep has a slight edge. However, the dial options and customization creates the separation and gives Kari the advantage. I should also state that I do own a Rexhep piece. I held an AK-06 in my hand nearly 2 years ago. I didn’t like it, but it has grown on me and now I do. The case is an acquired taste, but it is distinctive. It was actually the dial that I wasn’t excited about. The AK-06 is a hot item and there will only be 50. One might argue, with Kari, there is only one! The one YOU design. Kari has proven himself as a legend and one of the top watchmakers of our time. Good luck with your decision!


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Kari or Akrivia?

 
By: Watch_time_it_is : April 24th, 2020-19:22
Asking for the most common but most valuable of things - opinions. Have the opportunity to get either a Kari Voutilainen or Rexhep ak-06. Which do I get? Unacceptable answers - "both", "whichever you like best." Criteria: / example of artisan watchmaker /... 

Kari.

 
By: KonaJ : April 24th, 2020-19:27
Just ordered a second! As a side light Kari is a gentleman, easy to work with and very responsive.

I admire both...

 
By: mdg : April 24th, 2020-20:40
...and can only add that they are different creations. But I do know that Rexhep is a very nice guy and humble with nothing to be humble about : )

Difficult question to answer

 
By: Cozmopak : April 24th, 2020-20:52
But I’ll give you my perspective, for what it’s worth, since you’re asking for opinions. I’ve been following these watchmakers for some time and am also interested in both of them. I find the AK-06 to be a very polarizing watch, and that’s largely due to ... 

I would go for Kari

 
By: sham1 : April 24th, 2020-21:04
as the dial options are almost limitless whereas with the AK-06, one would have a choice of two dials. Also the dial of the AK-06 is more niche as lovely as it is. For the record, I too have been considering the AK-06 against a Vingt 8 and the latter make... 

If you're split, I'd choose based on whatever adds the most diversity in your collection

 
By: jleno : April 24th, 2020-21:23
Really a tough choice between these two otherwise, and it's hard to declare one a winner on finishing. This would also be an interesting choice if you were considering the open dial Vingt-8.

My Top 5

 
By: SALMANPK : April 24th, 2020-22:41
1) Vianney Halter: The Classic is too amazing but so is anything ever made by him 2) C.Klings: His Watches and his movements take my breath away 3) JB Viot: Hand Made Art Nouveau Specialness 4) Ludovic Ballouard: Under Rated Brilliance 5) Christiaan Van D... 

Christian Klings

 
By: Cozmopak : April 25th, 2020-11:39
Is my favorite contemporary watchmaker. I would sell my entire collection to have one of his pieces. I wish he replied to my emails!

Mine too!

 
By: SALMANPK : April 25th, 2020-12:15
I think the only way now is to show up on his doorstep and ring the bell ) S

Interesting and wonderful dilemma

 
By: Watchcph : April 24th, 2020-23:52
Hi! I have just been in a similar dilemma and I ended up pulled the trigger on a Kari so the following is of course biased, but so are all opinions I guess ;-) I have visited the Akrivia workshop, talked to Rexhep and seen and handled his pieces. They are... 

Which KV? Some pictures would help. I recently saw a RR in the metal, and I was in awe in terms of finishings level. Both are great watchmakers, so it is not a criterion for me.

 
By: amanico : April 25th, 2020-00:31
I think the main criterion is the " special " against conventional. Here, the RR wins. And it is hard to compare a KV 28 for example, with the AK 06 which is a Tourbillon. If you are more into a classic watch ,go for the KV. If you are more into something... 

Understandable

 
By: Cozmopak : April 25th, 2020-08:42
Given the symmetry of the movement layout. It looks like a tourbillon

It seems, I'm in the minority here. I'd actually go for the Akrivia.

 
By: nafetS : April 25th, 2020-00:50
Two reasons: I like the design of the Akrivia better. Never been much of a fan of the KV case and hands design. The Akrivia on the other hand is more special, not the typical round watch. The other reason is, that for the unqiue dials, I actually prefer a... 

Everything.

 
By: nafetS : April 26th, 2020-01:25
It‘s got a story behind it with their father working on the city‘s church clock (which is a remontoire and they will show you it, if you pick up the watch at their place). Not many watches have a story nowadays. The movement has a perfect and extraordinar... 

This is a dilemma but also easy to solve imho

 
By: Watchonthewrists : April 25th, 2020-02:02
For me these two are totally different watches based on the design of the case and dial . I also would love two own them both at some point in the future. For now i would go for a Akrivia because this watch would be almost impossible to find on a preowned... 

I was asking the same thing last year, I went for AK06

 
By: ialienam_AUS : April 25th, 2020-04:08
Well... I was more after RRCC01 but after I played with a friend's one. I LOVE it, but it's too classic for me which is not what I want. The reason I want to get an indies is that I don't want to be "safe". After exchanged a few emails with Rexhep, I pull... 

You got some very strong points there and also my thoughts too .

 
By: Watchonthewrists : April 25th, 2020-12:05
i do have a CC01 and hope to add a AK06 in the near future , like you i think the AK case design is the base of the brand . Also huge congrats with your AK . Hope to see your pics here as soon as its on your wrist

Both are extremely superb watches from extremely superb watchmakers

 
By: Mohannad (aka Riddler) : April 25th, 2020-04:08
However I personally would go for the AK06 ( I just ordered one for myself) The design is just spectacular, the movement is so well designed and finished , and more rare than the KV

Does Rexhep still have most components manufactured externally and just designed, assembled in-house?

 
By: Patekphilippecollector : April 26th, 2020-09:34
I have gone past the atelier a number of times and it’s a wonderful location in old town. Making 35 watches a year to KV 40-50 is not a huge difference on scarcity. If you want to go micro I think it’s nice to be able to put a little bit of what u want in... 

I believe so

 
By: Cozmopak : April 26th, 2020-10:56
But I wouldn’t use that as a criteria for deciding between these two. Kari uses a battalion of automated machinery to make the raw components for his watches. If you want something that’s made using old techniques, you have to look elsewhere like Haldiman... 

He does....I think he mentioned he needs to manufacture 15 000 components annually for his 50

 
By: Patekphilippecollector : April 26th, 2020-20:19
Watches and 7000 of them need to be individually heat treated so it’s quite a job. I have had the privilege of watching that poor sod black polish screw heads and I would certainly not have the same level of care as that individual on screw 675!! It’s sti... 

As much as I like the AK-06, I think we will see even better from Rexhepi in the future

 
By: LK : April 25th, 2020-07:51
If it were me, I would go with the more stylistically mature brand now and look at the developing brand in the future. But some would do the opposite and want to support the developing brand on its ascent.

Based on your criteria...

 
By: Obeezy : April 25th, 2020-09:00
I’d go with Kari. This isn’t an easy decision. Rexhep will undoubtedly become a legend in horology and having one of his early pieces will go a long way. I vote for Kari because you can design the entire watch. He also will work with you and give you idea... 

Thanks! Thank you for the photograph.

 
By: Obeezy : April 25th, 2020-12:05
Perhaps someone can explain this...there are only 50 AK-06 models that will be made. There will be 25 titanium and 25 steel. What I’ve noticed is the dial variations. I’ve seen matte dials in a few colors (like the one pictured) and then the hand hammered... 

This thread needs a picture,

 
By: Watchcph : April 25th, 2020-09:40
So I found this on Instagram with the two most similar models imo. Seriously hard to choose between these two, but I would go KV! In this case the Voutilainen is made in far less examples. 26 in total. ...  

I know this is not the answer you’re expecting

 
By: Mr.Gatsby : April 25th, 2020-10:01
But you clearly do know both watches and makers have their merits. And while you pit one against the other, you’re gonna find it hard to determine a winner. Because the reality is that, they both are. Truth be told, I own a Kari Voutilainen. And I will pu...