URWERK – Swiss Watch Makers

Introducing The Urwerk UR-111C

Nicolas Scatena — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 19:54:12 +0000

Since the start, Urwerk seem to always think outside the box and push those boundaries of what a mechanical watch can really be. The founders of Urwerk find new ideas and innovations to keep a trend of their mechanical watches. Their latest watch, UR-111C, seems to have come from space. On the “front” there are two conical displays – running minutes on the right and jumping hours on the left – and a unique helix-shaped minutes indicator in the center that also has a retrograde function. If you thought that was enough, well there is more coming. A jumping digital seconds display on the top of the watch that uses an array of optical fibers to project the numbers.

On this new Urwerk piece there are no traditional crowns. Instead, there is a mechanism for winding the watch. To set the watch, a lever pops out from the right and is used to move forward or backwards in time. This watch is definitely a unique piece and has zero regularity to it. The movie that comes to mind when first looking at this watch is from 2005, Zathura.

The watch is very impressive and is completely excessive in achieving creativity and innovation. Urwerk always look for the different options rather than basic and traditional ways when designing a watch. The indicators on this watch are full of high precision and artistry.

This watch may not seem appealing to many people but for those who love it, the UR-111C is the perfect timepiece to show individuality. Urwerk really tests and questions the traditional watchmaking horology, but by doing so, it shows us the the new wave of watches in a way that we appreciate them.

The Basics:

Case Material: Stainless steel or stainless steel with gunmetal finish
Dial Color: Black display wheels
Indexes: Arabic numerals
Lume: Yes
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Strap/Bracelet: Black crocodile leather strap

Caliber: Caliber UR-111C
Functions: Jumping hours, retrograde linear minutes, digital minutes, digital seconds
Power Reserve: 48 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)
Jewels: 37

Price: CHF 130,000 in either finish
Limited Edition: 25 pieces each in stainless steel and stainless steel with gunmetal finish

URWERK x Revolution UR-105 Bronze Tiger

Nicolas Scatena — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 03:07:19 +0000

This new upcoming watch is a very unique timepiece by URWERK and the artist, “King Nerd” Dowell. He has recently created the Ur-105 Bronze Tiger and its uniqueness will most definitely catch the eyes of others. This new URWERK has the typical satellite time display with the bold graved top.

The inspiration behind the tiger is simply the power, fierceness, iconic, and elegant features of a tiger. It is also due to the beauty and strength of the animal which is why Dowell chose to create a watch with a bold tiger on the case.

This is the third engraved watch created by Dowell with URWERK. Out of the three this one is his favorite. Symmetry is what makes this tiger timepiece his favorite rather than the other two. The face of a tiger has a beautiful symmetry which creates a very appealing look. From the front the cuts on the watch look clean with sharp edges that looks very elegant.

Can this watch defeat Superman?

Nicolas Scatena — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 15:31:12 +0000

Introducing URWERK UR-105 CT Kryptonite

No, this watch cannot kill superman but it is indeed named after the radioactive compound that is known as Superman’s only weakness. URWEK seem to always have a theme for their timepieces, this time being Kryptonite. The latest addition to the URWERK UR-105 CT collection is this glow in the dark timepiece nicknamed “Kryptonite.”

This new version of the watch only has a couple changes, being the color variation. The fascinating feature about the CT collection is the protective cover hinged on to offer a partial view of the time display.

In the dark, the hour markers and minute track emit an intense green light while the seconds indicator and the power reserve emit a blue glow. What makes this watch so amazing is the contrast between these glowing colors and the black matte of the case.

This timepiece is up for CHF 65,000 or USD 65,324. I am sure many superman comic lovers will have their eye caught on this precious timepiece.

Your Century, Your Millenia

Nicolas Scatena — Sun, 09 Feb 2014 15:50:18 +0000

The Urwerk UR-1001 Zeit Device

This is the first pocket watch that I’ve written about.

I find this watch to be spectacular. It looks to me like a modern World War device.

It holds seconds, minutes, and hours like a standard watch; the Ur-1001 Zeit Device displays the day/night, the date, month, years.

There is a power reserve indicator, the power lasts for 39 hours in which it will have to be wound with the three-position winding crown.

On the back it displays the century and millennium! The UR-1001 also has an oil indicator on the back that lets you know when it needs servicing!

Components & Specifications

Now let’s head into the components and specifications. It is 23mm thick and, when holding it in the face up upright position, it is 106mm tall and 62mm wide.

The glass in the case is sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating so nothing gets in the way of that marvelous display. The case itself is AlTiN treated steel with titanium elements.

It is water resistant to 3 ATM. It has a total of 51 jewels.

The UR-1001 includes a hand-made, heat-blackened steel linked chain with a bespoke Urwerk clasp with carbineer closure. Which I believe is replaceable but what is better than the original, right?