The New Urwerk UR-203

Urwerk is known to produce complicated pieces with interesting takes on the ways we tell time.  Since the introduction of their UR-103 collection Urwerk has used a method of satellite discs to display the hour and minutes.  Expanding on that idea, and using a design they first introduced in the Harry Winston Opus V, Felix Baumgartner (co-founder and master watchmaker) and Martin Frei (co-founder and chief designer) unveiled the 200 collection which uses a series of turning cubes on a rotating carousel to show the hour and telescoping hands that emerge from those cubes to display the minutes as they passed by.  Since their introduction, the team at Urwerk have been modifying those wildly popular collections offering new variations to would be buyers.

In late January, during a special introduction event in Geneva, Urwerk took their next step while proudly unveiling the UR-203.  At first glance the UR-203 looks somewhat similar to its brother, the 202;  sporting the same aggressively designed geometric case and similar rotating carousel with flipping display cubes.  Upon closer inspection you see that Felix and Martin spent some time stripping down the design to its bare minimum.  Skeletonizing the carousel and using an ARCAP P40 stable non-ferrous and non-magnetic alloy, not only giving the observer an inside look of how the display mechanism operates but also reducing the weight of the carriage by 65%; which now weighs a mere 3.57 grams.

Urwerk also introduced two new indicators on the dial that appear to be a first for any brand.  Tucked away in the corners under the crystal are the “Oil Change” and “150 Years Horological Odometer” displays.  The oil change indicator slowly moves along eventually informing its wearer that the movement needs to be serviced, which is every three years per the manufacturer’s recommendations.  On the opposite side the “odometer” displays how long the movement has been operating, with an ultimate display of 150 years.  With obvious inspiration from an automobile, some could see these features as something of an unneeded gimmick, but they fit well enough into the dial design that I don’t think they distract from the functionality, or overall style of the watch.

Regarding the development of the UR-203 Felix Baumgartner explains “This UR-203 is a wild idea of Martin Frei“, he continues. “Martin imagined a stripped down model distilled to its pure essence. We had to start again at the beginning to develop this model, we sat down at the drawing board and completely reconsidered the satellite module. The horological challenge with this complication was to develop a complex mechanism with the minimum of components to ensure its reliability and longevity.”

Those familiar with the UR-202 will recognize the automatic movement that uses mini turbines to regulate its winding in the new 203, but it has been tweaked a bit hence what powers the UR-203 is a new Caliber, the UR 7.03.   The UR-203 will have a very limited production run of only 20 pieces all in a black PE-CVD coated platinum case micro-sanded with a titanium back plate.

This one is sure to draw some attention at the up and coming 2010 watch fairs.

Urwerk is one of the more unique independent brands out there today, and its newly unveiled UR-CC1 leaves no doubt about it.  The brand was founded and is led by two extraordinary individuals, Master Watcmaker Felix Baumgartner and Chief Designer Martin Frei.  Urwerk produces small quantities of some very complicated (but in a very untraditional sense of the word ‘complicated’ as used in the watch industry) and undoubtedly exceptional wristwatches.  For starters, have a look at some of the pieces in its 103 collection and  202 collection.   Now I’m not a huge fan or follower of Urwerk (maybe one day-I do admit to having a great sense of curiosity towards Urwerk’s watches), but as one might expect with a brand that produces highly innovative and atypical wristwatches such as these, there is a bit of a cult following.  These folks and many others have eagerly awaited the revelation of the Baumgartner and Frei’s newest creation – the CC1.

I’ll just share some photos for now because the development of this timepiece has been followed closely by noted watch journalist Ian Skellern (follow him on Twitter @underthedial) – and you can read a bit more about Ian’s work on the UR-CC1 here and here, or you can wait for his next report which will surely be coming soon.

So let’s get on with the show, shall we?!

Simultaneous viewing of seconds – linearly and digitally (top of the watch), and linear display of hours and minutes – unprecedented!

On the UR-CC1, there are two horizontal indications displayed by two retrograde cylinders: one for the (jumping) hours, the other for the minutes.  A vertical triple-cam operating a rack (visible through a window in the side of the case) rotates the minute cylinder (seen through case back).

The honeycomb pattern of the silicon structure (see through side of case) resolves the two apparently contradictory requirements of maximum strength and minimum weight.  It is a highly customized creation fabricated in silicon by micro-parts master Mimotec.

The rotating disk which displays the seconds both digitally and linearly.

Only Watch is a charity auction of unique watches created by many of the most important watch brands in Switzerland. This exceptional event is held every two years in Monaco during the Monaco Yacht Show and is under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert 11. All the proceeds from Only Watch go to support research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The next Only Watch auction is organized in close collaboration with Patrizzi & Co and the Monaco Yacht Show, and will take place on 24 September 2009.

Participating brands include Audemars Piguet, Blancpain, BNB Concept, Bovet Fleurier, Breguet Montres, Cartier, Corum Montres, De Bethune, Delacour, Franck Muller, Frédérique Constant, Glashütte Uhrenbertrieb, Hermès, Hublot, Jaquet Droz, Louis Vuitton, Maximilian Büsser & Friends, Mont Blanc, Omega, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Richard Mille, Swatch, Tag Heuer, Tourneau Timepieces, Ulysse Nardin, Urwerk, Vacheron Constantin, Van Cleef & Arpels, Zenith International.

Below is a mosaic of their “pieces uniques”  – you can view larger images and a quote from each respective brand about their 2009 “Only Watch” contribution HERE.