Aspects of the calibre – namely the zero-second reset in the subsidiary seconds register, the power reserve indicator and the underlying mechanics for the complication, as well as the keyless works – were placed on the dial-side of the baseplate. This was done to achieve the AK 06’s “dial-free” aesthetic, by letting the new, in-house calibre’s meticulously planned symmetry take centre stage.

This theme of symmetry finds expression in many places. For instance, the circular power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock is flanked on either side by the two racks that govern its accurate functioning. The rack to the left operates in tandem with a set of gears at 9 o’clock that keep track of the energy left in the barrel on the other side of the baseplate. The rack on the right is governed by the tension in the blued spring around it. This tension does not allow the reserve indicator to ‘slip’ in case of shocks to the watch case.

Similarly, the bridge that holds the differential in place at 9 o’clock finds its counterpart in the bridge of the keyless work at 3 o’clock. There are elements of symmetry even in the zero-second reset complication, visible through the subsidiary seconds register at 6 o’clock. A heart-shaped cam works together with the two symmetrical arms of the complication, which operates much like how a chronograph would be reset. The two symmetrical arms are in fact governed by two tension springs. The result is that pulling the crown out to set the time resets the subsidiary seconds hand to the zero position, aimed at more accurate time-setting. This mini complication would go on to be integrated in the Chronometre Contemporain I.

Visible through the display caseback, the calibre AK 06 is laid out in a similarly symmetrical way. Triple-tiered in its construction, it is finished either in yellow gold-gilt or rhodium, to correspond with the dial finish. Visually dominated by the balance bridge, it features architectural flourishes that allow the watchmaker to showcase his mastery of techniques, including wide anglage and black polishing. While we noted that the Chronometre Contemporain I benefits from the same calibre, there are a few notable differences in the architecture. Most notably different is the layout of the stainless-steel fourth-wheel cock – in the AK 06, it is tubular and structurally distinct, held in place by two screws, one on each side for a perfectly symmetrical appearance. The fourth wheel cock, expertly mirror-finished, resembles the tubular stainless bridge that runs through the centre of the movement both in construction and finishing.

As has come to be expected of Rexhepi, the movement is richly detailed. Whether in gilt or rhodium finishing, the balance bridge wears even and shallow côtes de Genève. Almost every black polished element is visually offset by a contrasting finish – for instance, the fourth-wheel cock is held in place with a plate that features straight graining. Each working jewel and screw, irrespective of size, or placement within the tiered architecture, features a high polished countersink. Same can be said of the anglage, that is not only wide but very precise, with gentle curves giving way to sharp angles. The baseplate wears circular graining, visible on both the movement and dial side.

On the dial side, on top of the baseplate either a yellow gold-plated disk of brass or rhodium. This thin plate does not cover the whole of the dial, especially in the lower right quadrant of the dial that is visually dominated by the mechanics behind the keyless works and the zero-reset complication. The dials are available in a range of finishes, including a frosted finish in both gold and grey. More popular is the hand-hammered finish, available in both colours.