Urwerk‘s co-founders Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei first mentioned their concepts for a brand new piece again in 1995 and formally based the corporate in 1997. That very same yr, they launched the UR-101 and UR-102 watches at Baselworld, sci-fi-inspired creations with wandering hours working on a semi-circular minute monitor on the high. Just lately, these two easy but visually putting fashions have soared in reputation. The time has come for the model to journey again in time and current its first classic re-edition, the UR-102 Reloaded, launched as a boxed set containing its two variations.
Together with the opposite inaugural mannequin, the 101, the UR-102 is taken into account a basis piece, a watch that sealed the start of Urwerk’s journey and marked the place to begin. A spherical watch with a neo-futuristic look, the UR-102 is quite shy in comparison with the modern creations of Baumgartner and Frei, however it launched crucial function of all of them, the arched window with the time displayed with out fingers, with the now emblematic wandering hour system – impressed, just like the AP Starwheel, by a clock made for Pope Alexander VII.
The idea is now again to the longer term with the UR-102 Reloaded. There are some design changes, however nonetheless, it appears very near the unique 1997 idea. The case, accessible in uncoated or PVD-coated titanium and metal, with a sandblasted floor, has grown in dimension. From 38mm initially, it now measures 41mm, with an inexpensive top of 11.30mm. Sure, when you examine that with a UR-112 Aggregat, it’s most positively a compact mannequin. The pebble form of the case, with its semi-circular arch on the higher half, has been saved too, however the crown is now merged into the case and positioned at 4 o’clock. Its lugs are bigger, recalling the attachments on the Sputnik area satellite tv for pc; they’re stable, angular and designed to place the “machine” completely on the wrist. So sure, issues have modified barely, however the emblematic form is there.
The show of this Urwerk UR-102 Reloaded is… properly, the show you’d anticipate from a UR-102. And meaning wandering hours and an arched minute scale. Like a satellite tv for pc, it travels throughout the firmament from 0 to 30 after which comes again throughout its descent to the 60 mark. The uncooked titanium model has a blue-coloured arch, a nod to the unique UR-102. The factor framing the satellite tv for pc is printed with historic mentions. And specialists of the model may have observed that the opening for studying the time is not an ideal semi-circle however has sloping edges, giving it a extra dynamic look.
Contained in the case is an automated base motion with a 4Hz frequency and a 48h energy reserve. It’s used to energy the in-house module with wandering hours. No extra particulars have been given but by the model concerning the origin of the bottom motion.
The Urwerk UR-102 Reloaded is offered in a boxed set issued as a 25-piece restricted version, comprising the “Titanium” and “Black” variations. The value of the set is CHF 56,000 (excl. taxes). For extra particulars, please go to www.urwerk.com.