See, Akrivia and Rexhep Rexhepi to me, are one those things that I would have LOVED to just gatekeep forever. But how can you blame me when we’re talking about a young (non-swiss), talented, contemporary yet classic, macro yet micro, watch designer ? 

It’s fair to say that my friends and I are Mr Rexhep Rexhepi’s Swifties. 

Okay but let me humble myself by saying that I discovered the atelier very late, compared to the average, Gold Berger level, watch connaisseur. And funny enough, and it cannot get any more cliché than this, it was on a wrist shot on Ben Clymer’s Insta story. See ? I told you I was going to humble myself. But hey, I’ve always been a late bloomer… 

Okay let me spare you my long and personal introductions to introduce you guys to one of the most important independent watchmakers and designers of our generation and his Atelier.

In a world where most of us rely on phones to tell time, Rexhep Rexhepi is making sure we remember the art—and magic—of traditional watchmaking. The Swiss-trained, Kosovo-born artisan has made a name for himself as one of the most sought-after independent watchmakers in the world, and it’s easy to see why. His timepieces, crafted under his brand Akrivia, don’t just tell time; they seem to capture it, distilling every second into mechanisms so intricate they look like something from a horological fever dream.

Rexhepi’s fascination with watchmaking began when he was just a teenager, and it’s been a story of skill and success ever since. Picture a young Rexhep, wide-eyed and eager, stepping into the bustling workshops of the mythical Patek Philippe, where he first trained. Unlike many apprentices, who are content to simply learn the ropes, Rexhepi brought a rare precision and curiosity to his work. These early years at Patek Philippe proved to be his launching pad, where he learned to refine his technique, but more importantly, where he developed a deep respect for the age-old traditions of Swiss watchmaking. That respect, however, didn’t stop him from having big ideas—ideas that would ultimately set him apart in a world of mass production and digital displays.

In 2012, Rexhepi took a leap of faith and founded Akrivia in Geneva. The name alone is a clue to his approach: Akrivia, meaning “precision” in Greek, speaks to his obsession with detail. This was no ordinary startup. While other brands might have started with simpler, entry-level pieces, Rexhepi launched with bold, ambitious designs. His first watch, a hand-made tourbillon, made waves in the watch community for its exceptional craftsmanship and avant-garde design. It was a daring move, and it paid off. Each Akrivia watch, crafted with painstaking care and featuring mechanical movements that are assembled by hand, embodies Rexhepi’s vision: to create watches that are as mesmerizing as they are precise.

Mr Rexhepi provides a touch of modernity to tradition. His cases often feature a signature “flared lug” design—a detail that adds an extra layer of elegance while making the watches unmistakably Akrivia. Then there are the movements: complex, mesmerizing arrays of gears and springs that he meticulously finishes by hand. His commitment to quality is such that every component, no matter how small, is polished, decorated, and perfected with the same level of devotion. Even if a piece is hidden inside the case, Rexhepi believes it deserves the same attention as the visible parts, and this philosophy is indeed apparent in every Akrivia piece.

Technical prowess aside, what makes Rexhepi’s work so captivating is the sense of narrative he brings to each piece. His watches aren’t just tools to mark the hours—they’re stories. They reflect his journey from Kosovo to the ateliers of Switzerland, his love for traditional techniques, and his belief that watchmaking is as much an art form as it is a craft. With each new model, he builds on his own legacy, creating watches that feel like heirlooms, pieces that are made to be handed down through generations.

These days, Rexhepi’s creations and personal flair have made him something of a rockstar in horological circles. His reputation has grown to the point that collectors line up to purchase his limited-run pieces, and Akrivia has become a symbol of high watchmaking for those who appreciate the finer things. And as he continues to push boundaries, with innovative designs and increasingly complex movements, it’s clear that Rexhep Rexhepi is more than just a watchmaker—he’s a visionary. He’s reminding the world that, while a digital screen might tell you the time, only a masterpiece can truly capture it.

We will be providing more stories and articles about Mr Rexhep, his atelier, their pieces and bright future. So we hope to see you in the next one, and read your thoughts in the comment section.

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