Palms-On: URWERK UR-100 Gold ‘C-3PO Watch

Geneva-based URWERK doesn’t make plenty of watches in treasured metals, typically preferring extra sensible supplies reminiscent of metal or titanium. This specific UR-100 mannequin household watch is among the many uncommon exceptions being crafted from yellow gold and is named the UR-100 Gold “C-3PO” (from the Star Wars universe, in fact, and initially debuted on aBlogtoWatch right here). Again once I first began protecting watches, I recall that the URWERK model, then solely 10 years previous, would do humorous issues like take a platinum or gold watch and coat it black. Treasured steel instances appear a bit antithetical to the bigger mission of this avant-garde high-end watch model, however in fact, there isn’t any such laborious and quick rule at URWERK.

The UR-100 is definitely amongst URWERK’s extra “entry-level fashions,” which signifies that this watch is priced extra like a very nice Acura versus a mid-range Mercedes Benz. Thus, it being in gold is much less about status and positioning and extra about aesthetics and the enchantment of gold as a watch case materials. Despite the fact that gold is softer than metal, it has a appear and feel that’s unmatched by the supplies that search to emulate it. URWERK additionally factors out that your complete 41mm-wide case is machined from one strong piece of gold. The case is additional 14mm-thick (at its widest level) and has a 49.7mm case size (lug-to-lug) distance. Case ending may be very properly performed, and the various factors of “anglage” (angle sharpening) are very finely carried out.

Within the scheme of unusual case shapes at URWERK, the UR-100 is quite a bit nearer to “atypical” than a few of its different fashions, however it nonetheless has a visible distinction that enables it to appear and feel like nothing else on the market. As soon as once more we see URWERK’s fascination with making the case asymmetrical on the subject of the highest and backside lugs. The case’s higher lugs look extra like an prolonged guard for the top-mounted crown, and the decrease set of lugs is completely totally different with a “Gerald Genta” angle to them. I admit that, in photos, the UR-100 case seems a bit odd on the wrist, however it wears very comfortably.

Studying the time on all UR-100 household watches is completed through URWERK’s conventional satellite tv for pc time system that has been tailored for this case and motion. There are three satellites with 4 hour numerals every that revolved across the central dial. Minutes are indicated through the curved linear show 12 months the underside of the dial utilizing the red-colored hand. This hand attaches to the seen a part of the satellite tv for pc hour system, then hides underneath the periphery ring to be seen once more two cycles down the highway. Studying the time is easy when you get the hold of it, and indicating the time is the unique complication on this computerized motion.

The indications on the facet of the dial are extra emotional and relate to the truth that our measure of time is usually primarily based across the rotation of the Earth. Thus, the edges of the watch have scales that join the passage of the day with the rotation of the Earth, given the historic origin of our celestial-based system for indicating time. One in every of these two 20 minutes indicators reveals the rotational distance of the Earth throughout that point interval (555.55 km), after which the opposite facet reveals the space the Earth revolved across the Solar (35,742km) in that point. Flip the watch over, and also you’ll see an computerized winding system that can also be simple in its operation however novel in its building.

Contained in the watch is the in-house-designed URWERK caliber UR 12.01 computerized motion which operates at 4Hz with 48 hours of energy reserve. Should you flip the automated rotor, you may see a “strolling gear” that appears like a spinning turbine. What’s the “Planetary Turbine” within the watch all about? The thought, in line with URWERK, is a system that stabilizes the motion of the automated rotor in an try to scale back put on and thus enhance service time intervals. In brief, if the system works as deliberate, the automated rotor system for the UR 12.01 motion will break or require restore much less ceaselessly than these computerized programs with out this specific and neat-looking meeting. In any occasion, the mechanism seems nice, and that’s what’s going to proceed to maintain the UR-100 household of curiosity to URWERK collectors.

The UR-100 Gold “C-3PO” isn’t the one treasured steel UR-100 watch that URWERK has produced thus far, really. There may be the very related UR-100 Electrum, which isn’t in 2N 18k gold, however quite “Electrum,” which is an alloy of yellow gold and palladium. The case colours look roughly the identical, however quite than the UR-100 Gold’s easy brushed case time, the Electrum has deeply engraved concentric ring grooves that supply a special visible expertise. Going again to this UR-100 Gold, you may maybe see why URWERK felt it was appropriate to lend it the pleasant moniker of “C-3PO,” everybody’s favourite gold-colored droid. URWERK actually has the colour down, however I nonetheless assume that again in 2008, fellow high-end Geneva watchmaker MB&F captured the “C-3PO face” higher with the HM3 Starcruiser watch.

Approaching a barely shiny black alligator strap (I consider it additionally comes with a texture strap), the UR-100 Gold is a dressier URWERK that doesn’t look misplaced in an informal setting, both. The watch calls plenty of consideration to itself and is a decidedly good watch although it nonetheless prices lower than most different URWERK timepieces. I don’t assume URWERK will shift its focus to too many precious-metal watches, however I do agree that now and again, doing so can result in an excellent end result. The URWERK UR-100 Gold C-3PO is a part of a restricted version of 25 items and has a retail worth of $60,000 USD. Study extra on the URWERK watches web site right here.