Cozmopak
2303
Difficult question to answer
Apr 24, 2020,20:52 PM
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 the shape and design of the case. Try as I might, I cannot fall in love with the case design. I know that there are loyal followers of Rexhep who will argue that the design is cutting edge, and I respect their opinions, but it just doesn’t suit me. I’m much more of a traditionalist when it comes to watches, and so the Voutilainen (I’m assuming you’re looking at the Vingt-8), clearly wins in the design category. Sure, it’s not on the bleeding edge of innovation, but it will still look good 50 years from now. Rexhep’s Chronometre Contemporain is much more to my taste, but it’s also nearly impossible to obtain. It too isn’t a perfect watch; I find the dial a bit boring, but that’s veering off topic.
From a movement finishing perspective, I think the winner is the AK-06. The finishing on that movement is truly virtuosic. The number of polished inward angles alone is mind-boggling. The symmetry of the movement layout is a feat of engineering. If it was purely a question of movement quality, the AK-06 would take the prize in my book.
I think the question for you is whether you find the AK-06 an attractive watch. If you do, that’s the one I would get, since the quality of finishing is in a different league. If it were me, I would get the Voutilainen. Still a gorgeously finished watch, and much more stylistically to my liking.