New Indie Brand Akhor and the Inaugural “Le Temps en Equilibre” Collection

Geneva Watch Days have become a major event on the watch industry’s agenda. The event is now a perfect platform to introduce new products and even new independent watchmaking brands. A case in point, the Geneva-based brand Akhor makes its public debut with an intriguing concept, Le Temps en Equilibre, built on a distinctive vision of time and driven by its own, newly developed movement. The independent brand emerges as a genuine collective project, united by a shared passion for fine traditional horology. It brings together Anissa Bader as founder and CEO (also the Chairman of Clamax), Riccardo Montfardino as COO, Laurent Davoli as lead designer, and Daniel Martinez overseeing movement creation.

The Akhor Le Temps en Equilibre (Time in Balance in French) is born from a poetic vision of time and its fleeting nature. This new watch reveals the hours and minutes only partially, as if suspended in motion. The passing indications remind us that time is never entirely ours to grasp. Much like the mysterious clocks of old, it offers not just the measure of time but an invitation to contemplate its mystery. From a technical perspective, the concept is brought to life by a system developed and patented by Clamax, a watch component manufacturer based in Geneva and founded in 1988, Akhor’s production partner company. A two-level dial architecture reveals only partially the hour and minute hands that rotate around a central pillar and under the upper dial plate. The dial is available in either a sunburst or honeycomb finish, in various colours: black, white, blue, green, and brown. There are also diamond-set versions (280 brilliant-cut diamonds, approx. 0.85cts).

Le Temps en Equilibre comes in an elegant cushion case with a reasonable 39mm width and a thickness of 11mm. Crafted from 4N/5N gold or stainless steel, it stands out with a large dial opening, a thin bezel (available in a polished metal or diamond-set version), and short lugs. The hobnailed pattern crown is emblazoned with the brand’s logo. The water-resistance rating is 30 meters.

Turning the watch over, the exhibition caseback, secured by four screws, reveals the in-house hand-wound calibre AK10 (developed with the support of Daniel Martinez, a consultant in the development of movements and complications for both independent and established brands). The idea was to be as independent from a creative and production standpoint, as well as to build a platform that could accommodate future developments and complications.

The elegant architecture of the large 31mm movement makes the flow of time visible through partially openworked bridges, revealing the gear train. Its variable inertia balance wheel ticks at 4Hz, and the barrel stores a comfortable 60-hour power reserve when fully wound. The hacking seconds mechanism allows for precise setting. It is nicely finished with beautiful anglage and Geneva stripes radiating from the balance wheel. A refined detail, the screw heads are shaped to echo the outline of the case. The watch is entirely Swiss-made, with partners including Metalem (dial), Inhotec, Atokalpa (regulating organ), LAB (case), and Multicuir (leather strap).

The Akhor Le Temps en Equilibre comes on a hand-stitched alligator or calfskin leather strap. It is secured to the wrist by a folding buckle matching the material of the case. The watch retails for CHF 28,000 for steel versions and up to CHF 77,800 for gold, diamond-set versions.

For more information, please visit www.akhor.ch.