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It was one of those days.
You know, the ones that live in your memory. Yesterday I collected my long anticipated Akrivia AK02.
It has been an adventure. I was one of Rexhep's early customers for the CC1
Excuse the poor pic. But you get my drift? Perfection. I have had a pleasant friendly relationship with Rexhep and his wife Annabelle, they're lovely natural people. Seemingly unaffected by their superstardom.
In early 2023 I was visiting his atelier with a group of friends, as we were walking around he casually handed me an AK02 and said...'go on, put it on, why don't you wear it whilst we're showing your friends around?'....
There's an offer you can't refuse! So I did, and even though it was titanium it seemed to be putting roots into my wrist,,,,,really weird.
Just as we were about to leave I summoned up the courage ....'do you think I could possibly get one,,,please?'.... well, knock me down with a feather duster, he said yes. Yeah!!!! When I picked myself up off the floor, pinched
myself three times to make sure I wasn't hallucinating I couldn't believe it. So I asked again, yes he said. Wowza!! Heavy stuff.
Shortly after we worked out my AK02's spec:
Platinum case
In house Grand Feu enamel dial with gold dust inclusions.
Small tweaks to the overall design
Over the last two years I have phoned and visited to watch the whole masterpiece come together.
Here are a few pics. I hope that you like them
Thank you for reading, I hope that you enjoyed sharing my AK02.
But my biggest thanks and deepest admiration is reserved for Rexhep and his wonderful friendly and enthusiastic team.
Antony
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It was one of those days.
You know, the ones that live in your memory. Yesterday I collected my long anticipated Akrivia AK02. It has been an adventure. I was one of Rexhep's early customers for the CC1 Excuse the poor pic. But you get my drift? Perfection. I have had a pleasant f...
Wonderful.
Excellent images as well, thank you for sharing them here with us, enjoy it monumentally, cheers, Filip
I admire your patience.
But that watch was most certainly worth the wait, congratulations on your stunningly beautiful new watch and wear and enjoy it in good health. Marc
Patience?
Me? Nah! But what choice did I have? Looking at the watch I reckon that two years was nothing when compared to its beauty and refinement. Kind regards, Antony
You must be on Cloud 9.
And may you return there every time you strap this exquisite machine on your wrist. HAGWE!
There's a thought.
Certainly in spirit. Such nice people leave a deep impression,,,and then there's the watch! Kind regards, Antony
Congrats...wish I'd gotten the first one...
Oh well. Tried on the tourbillon (an early version) and it was very comfortable...
It was just
serendipity, who knew what would happen? I loved the look of the CC1 and was simply lucky to get one. This was before buyers were vetted. If they had vetted and screened as they do now, no doubt I wouldn't have got one. After all, I'm not rich, famous or ...
I actually had lunch with the man and asked him to change the dial just a tad...
..which he was unwilling to do : ) But his girlfriend was wearing a tourbillon and it fit me perfectly...
Thank you Mitch.
I keep looking at it and it makes me gasp with pleasure and admiration. I look forward to seeing you, and it on your wrist. I have seen that your book 'Time on my Hands' is doing very well. Congratulations. Kind regards, Antony
Huge congrats!
And 2 years for such a magnificent piece is very reasonable looking at wait time for some others…Enjoy!
I agree.
At the time it seemed daunting, but now? A blink of an eye. Maybe watches do the opposite of time dilation? Adventures in inner, as opposed to outer space? Kind regards, Antony
thank you Sham.
It is indeed wonderful. Slowly my collection is reducing, improving (to my taste) and the watch collection bug is withering. To me there's nothing left after this, everything else is shaded. Interesting times! I hope that you and yours are well and thrivi...
You don’t post often but when you do it’s mind-blowing.
Wonderful addition to your one of a kind collection.
TBH,
I don't have much to say, so why make posts? To me this was a big deal and I wanted to share it. I am delighted that you like it. Stay strong! Kind regards, Antony
Thank you.
Actually there's a little story. Slowly I have gone over to using my Pixel 9 for all my pics thinking that they were 'good enough'. It just couldn't capture the subtlty or colour of tha AK02's dial so I thought I'd dig out my Ricoh GRiii, wow is all I can...
Wonderful watch and post.
Thanks for sharing your experience and this very special AK02. Congratulations and wear it in the best of health. Best, Emmanuel
A platinum piece?? That must feel as satisfying as it looks, congratulations!
I really like the futuristic design elements. It some ways it has similarities to De Bethune, but much more substantial obviously. Enjoy this beauty in good health.
Funny that you mention that,
I did not choose it! A certain Rexhep, a man of taste and discrimination, did. Yeah, he's a class act! Kind regards, Antony
Huge congratulations, 🥂 this is a truly special and spectacular project
As I have the privilege of being your friend, this piece embodies your passion for high horology. You are one of the collectors I look up to and admire. Old school, your knowledge is immense, yet you carry it with humbleness. Once again huge congratulatio...
Good heavens Imran,
thank you for your fulsome comments but really I'm a just about avearge guy who happens to have liked watches for 40 years. Even someone as slow as me eventually picks up something! Anyway, as soon as I get back from my holiday we'll have a good nosh and ...
huge congratulations and wear in the best health !
you've tastefully chosen the dial...shimmering ! I love the AkriviA case, quite visually bold but fits the wrist well, also in reality feels thinner than what one imagine with photos. Congrats again !! Best, mahesh.,
Everything you say is true Mahesh.
Although I had the idea of a platinum case, blue enamel dial with inclusions. Initially I wanted platinum ones but Rexhep said Nyet!, they'll be gold. Right you are sir, I said. Then he did all the true heavy lifting and turned my whimsical fancy into bri...
If you get a chance, would you please explain the brand difference between Akrivia and Rexhep Rexhepi!
I understand Rexhep is also the creator of Akrivia, so why two separate brands if he’s the one making pieces for them both?
I just don't know,
possibly the first classic steampunkish designs weren't scaleable, limited editions, limited customers for such strong designs. You know the drill. Round watches are 95% of the market, buyers are a conservative lot. So how to make a departure from where h...
Thank you.
Yours is fabulous. Wear it in the best of health and contentment, Kind regards, Antony
Lovely story and what a watch pair you now have.
The RRCC1 is exquisite and I took my time getting to appreciate the pieces made under the Akrivia brand. Certainly the AK06 got my attention, but these AK02 tourbillon watches are quite something. They have certainly grown on me over the recent years. Hug...
I think it's usually like this:
a new brand comes along with adventurous styling and watchistas being generally conservative, and not a little suspicious, are slow to accept it, Rexhep made an extremely wise move by putting his brilliant watchmaking skills on display in conventional pac...
Huge congratulations dear Antony
Such a incredible and gorgeous AK 👌🏻🤩😘. Wear it in best of health 🙏🏻
This is serious heavy metal!
Fantastic - like everything leaving Rexhep's workshop. The case of this AK02 is just mad, as is the dial... I am more the RRCC guy but I much appreciate all that goes into the AK02. Thank you for sharing this standout piece with us!