UR-103.07 | White Gold

This UR-103.07 is distinguished by its retro-futuristic and unconventional design, offering a visually exciting way of telling time. Reminiscent of an aircraft or spaceship, the piece integrates an atypical wandering hours display, embodying the contrarian design principles which birthed the brand.

Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei established Urwerk in 1997, launching the innovative UR-101 and UR-102 watches at Baselworld. With their atypical time display, use of modern materials and futurist design, the first Urwerk watches certainly surprised the rather conservative watch world. To give you some context, Richard Mille and De Bethune, other brands which pioneered futuristic independent watchmaking, were only established in 1999 and 2002 respectively.

In 2002, the watchmakers sat at a crossroads. “We were sitting around the table. The company’s bank statement was lying in front of us. The balance was CHF 100,000. This is all that we had after five years of very hard work,” recalls Felix Baumgartner. In the face of financial struggle and potentially being unable to continue their journey, their pair decided to double down on their vision for futuristic watchmaking and introduced the UR-103.This model marked a turning point for the independent watchmakers, thanks to its spaceship inspired case, innovative curved crystal, exposed satellite display and control board on the caseback. They presented the UR-103 at Baselworld in 2003, capturing the attention of the watch world, and obtaining commercial success. The UR-103 was eventually discontinued in 2010.

Aesthetically, the UR-103.07 embodies Urwerk's creative approach to watchmaking, with a futuristic design which has become synonymous with the brand. Deep, linear, engravings run vertically down the curved case surface, and when viewed in combination with the glass, the overall effect is reminiscent of a spaceship or helmet, further highlighting the whimsical nature of the design.

There are three rotating orbital wandering “satellites” that are responsible for allowing the wearer to read the hour. A curved minute track runs at the bottom of the watch, where the hour discs move slowly across the dial to indicate the corresponding time. A recessed crown at 12 o'clock features deep engravings, allowing the user to wind and set the watch with ease. Whilst this too resembles some aeronautical exhaust system, it serves as a gentle reminder of the manufacture’s industrial, engineering background, combining form and function.

Powering the wandering hours satellites is Urwerk’s manual-winding Calibre 3.03. There is also a rare user adjustable fine-tuning screw on the caseback, that acts on the index which changes the rate of balance by altering the effective length of the balance spring. Such a device is extremely rare in the modern era, as it was initially a feature found within pocket-watches.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Urwerk UR-103.07 will be subject to 20% VAT.

Closer look

This Urwerk UR-103.07 is in very good condition overall, with a few superficial marks throughout consistent with minimal wear. The inner box shows some sign of damage throughout. The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.