GPHG 2026: Rexhep Rexhepi Wins. Should Dealers Buy In?
Rexhep Rexhepi won the GPHG 2026 Aiguille d'Or. Why the hype around Akrivia and Rexhepi is a trap for most dealers unless you have the right end clients.
By Dejan Zoric
2 min read
The short answer
Rexhep Rexhepi's Chronograph Flyback (RRCHF) won the Aiguille d'Or, the top prize at the 26th Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève on November 7, 2026. Rexhepi and Akrivia are among the hottest independent names right now, but the hype is new and sellers know it, so dealers without end clients for high-end independents should not risk their money buying in.
Key takeaways
- Rexhep Rexhepi won the GPHG 2026 Aiguille d'Or for the Chronograph Flyback (RRCHF).
- The RRCHF retails at CHF 150,000, and the workshop makes roughly 50 to 60 watches a year.
- Demand is real, but sellers know the brand is hot and price accordingly.
- The risk is paying far over and then finding every offer comes in well below your cost.
- If your business is sub-$10,000 Rolex, Batmans and Royal Oaks, spend on what you know and what your clients buy.
Rexhep Rexhepi won the Aiguille d'Or, the top prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), for his Chronograph Flyback at the 26th ceremony in Geneva on November 7, 2026 [1] [2]. Last year the same prize went to the Breguet Classique Souscription 2025 [3] [4]. Rexhepi, who also makes watches under the Akrivia name, is one of the hottest independent brands in the world right now. That is exactly why most dealers should be careful.
The facts
- Field: 84 nominated watches and clocks, with 20 prizes awarded by a jury chaired by Wei Koh [1] [2].
- The winner: the Rexhep Rexhepi Chronograph Flyback (RRCHF), a hand-wound column-wheel flyback chronograph, 9.7mm thick, with a Grand Feu enamel dial in storm blue for platinum or black for rose gold [5] [8].
- Retail price: CHF 150,000 [5] [8].
- Output: roughly 50 to 60 watches a year across the whole workshop [5] [8].
- Auction context: an Akrivia AK-06 sold for CHF 3 million at Phillips Geneva in May 2026 [6] [7].
- Other winners dealers will recognize: Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5 "150th Anniversary" (Iconic Watch Prize) and the Grand Seiko Spring Drive U.F.A. Ushio 300 Diver (Sports Watch Prize) [1] [2].
What it means for dealers
The hype around this brand is new, and it just got a trophy. There are a lot of buyers. But the people selling Rexhepi and Akrivia pieces know it's hot too, and they price like it. That is the trap. You do not want to be caught holding a very expensive piece you paid way over for, then find every offer you get comes in a lot less than you bought it for.
The second problem is clients. A watch like this needs an end-user client who buys high-end independents. At roughly 50 to 60 watches a year, this is niche, high-collector territory. It is not something you list and wait on.
So be honest about what your business is. If your bread and butter is flipping sub-$10,000 Rolexes, and you sell a lot of Batmans, AP Royal Oaks and similar pieces, I wouldn't risk my money here. You are not going to have a client for it. Spend your money on what you know and what fits your clientele. That is how you keep capital turning, and it's the point of what you stock decides your clients.
If you do have that client, work from their order. Get the commitment first, then source. Don't buy on spec because a trophy made the news.
What to do:
- Stock: only against a named end client who buys independents at this level.
- Avoid: buying Rexhepi or Akrivia on speculation while the hype is fresh.
- Watch: how the winning references trade over the coming months, from the sidelines.
The trophy is great for Rexhepi. For most dealers, it's a reason to stay in your lane.
Questions dealers ask
Who won the GPHG 2026 Aiguille d'Or?
Rexhep Rexhepi, for the Chronograph Flyback, at the 26th GPHG ceremony in Geneva on November 7, 2026.
How much does the Rexhep Rexhepi Chronograph Flyback cost?
The retail price is CHF 150,000, in platinum or rose gold.
How many watches does Rexhep Rexhepi make a year?
Roughly 50 to 60 watches a year, which makes every piece niche, high-collector territory.
Should a watch dealer buy Rexhep Rexhepi or Akrivia watches?
Only if you have end-user clients who buy high-end independents. For dealers whose business is mainstream Rolex and AP, my view is that the risk of overpaying in a new hype cycle is not worth it.
