Urwerk “Rare Species” #1…

With this new UR-202 “White Shark” I’ve got to give the guys at Urwerk credit for their continued and excellent ability to seek inspiration from exotic species and see it through to an equally exotic timepiece (remember the “Mexican Fireleg”?). Urwerk’s new Rare Species collection (website coming soon) will reflect ultra-limited production of pieces developed in close collaboration with specific partners.  The first rare species which you see below is the UR-202 White Shark, and it bears the imprint of Chronopassion (Paris) and The Hour Glass (Singapore), two famous horology retailers and collaborators for this particular piece.

The White Shark keeps with the overall design of the original UR-202 except for its monochromatic color scheme — thus delivering upon the “white shark” concept.  The one red number of the 12 hour digits you see below signifies the limited edition nature of this model — just 12 pieces.

Technical Description (per Urwerk):

Time on the UR-202 is displayed using telescopic minute hands operating through the middle of three orbiting and revolving hour satellites. These hands precisely adjust their length to follow the three vectors marking the minutes: 0 -14, 15 – 44, 45 – 60. Extended, they enable the UR-202 to display the time across a large easy-to-read, dial. Retracted, they allow for a very wearable and comfortably sized case. A moonphase and day/night indicator complete the dial..

The patented central carousel is the nerve centre of the satellite complication. It is not only enables the rotating hour satellites, but also the high-precision manoeuvres performed by the three telescopic minute hands. The carousel is a technical tour-de-force requiring fabrication tolerances down to three micros.

Two turbines are visible on the back of the UR-202 “White Shark” and these are coupled to the rotor to regulate the winding system of the watch. The turbines are controlled by a three position selector lever. In mode”FREE”, the two turbines spin freely enabling maximum winding of the mainspring. In mode “Sport”, the two turbines spin with resistance, acting like pneumatic brakes that reduce the winding efficacy wound by 1/3rd. In mode “STOP”, the turbines are locked and block the rotor from winding at all, although the watch can still be manually wound if necessary.

Related posts:

1. Urwerk “Rare Species” White Shark UR-202 Coming Soon
2. Louis Vuitton Tambour Spin Time
3. Revealed: Urwerk’s new UR-CC1 King Cobra
4. The Razor’s Edge
5. Baselworld 2010: Urwerk Tarantula “Mexican Fireleg”