Day -1 of GWD began with an impromptu visit to the Rexhep Rehepi Ateliers in Geneva. I was received by Alex Ballmer, who showed me the Chronograph Flyback Prototype No.1. It was a treat to see the Prototype of the watch. And the amazing attention to detail that went into its creation.

Geneva Watch Days Exclusive: Handling the Rexhep Rexhepi Chronograph Flyback Prototype

This is my first handling of the Rexhep Rexhepi Chronograph Flyback. We first covered the release, with our inside notes based on discussions I had with Rexhep.

At its current state, the Prototype No.1 was none worse for wear. This is the same watch that Rexhep himself worked on, and has been shown since April this year. The feel of the chronograph was a bit light, like the feel of a vintage Patek Philippe chronograph. Rexhep wanted a slightly firmer feel, but not as firm as with current Patek chronographs. As the watch has been demoed by many people since April, I felt a distinct jump as I started the chronograph, and again as I stopped it. The flyback and stop did not exhibit any slop. This is partially due to the wear and tear, but also because the design uses a lateral clutch. I would think that with normal usage and with some fine tuning to the final production piece, this issue will be resolved satisfactorily.

The watch is amazingly beautiful. The colour of the grand feu enamel dial, which Rexhep calls “Stormy Blue” is stunning to the eye. The edges, where the enamel transitions into grey tinted sapphire crystal discs over the sub-counters slope gently and hold the sapphire discs firmly. The transition is visible, and is a thing of beauty.

The finishing on the case, dial, movement is exceptional. And as we already know, each is completely conceived and built in-house within one of the several buildings along the Grande-Rue of Geneva. The movement is perhaps the first and currently only chronograph movement which is completely symmetrical. Symmetry is one of Rexhep’s signatures. And this is evident in the case back view. Of course each element of the movement, even the tiniest one, and those not visible to the client is finished to the exacting standards that Rexhep demands. The result is amazingly beautiful.

Movement finnisage is top of this world. The central bridge in stainless steel is a show of virtuoso that very few can master, and perhaps none can exceed Rexhep. The other bridges are in maillechort.

Attention to detail is also exceptional. Take the chronograph hand. To reduce parallax, the long slender hand is not curved at the extreme end. There is a hand bent kink which lowers the extreme edge.

On the wrist, the 38.8mm case felt immediately at ease on my 180mm flat wrist. The Rexhep Rexhepi Chronograph Flyback Prototype No.1 had a stainless steel case, but this dial variant will be offered in a platinum case during the production run. It felt very comfortable. Very easy to wear on both larger or smaller wrists. This is due to the elongated and curved design of the lugs.