UR-103.08 TiAlN | Stainless Steel

This is a seldom seen example of one of Urwerk’s best recognised references. The UR-103.08* wears a coating of TiAlN, an alloy that makes its monocoque case incredibly resistant to scratches. The wandering hours display, another hallmark of the brand, is set up on an equally advanced baseplate of ARCAP P40, noted for its anti-magnetic properties and strength. This example wears the desirable angular crystal that appears on fewer than 20 examples of the reference.

The UR-103.01, first revealed in 2003, six years after the Urwerk was launched, established the aesthetic that even today comes to mind when thinking of the brand. Inspired equally by the science fiction that founders Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei read as youngsters and the era of space exploration, it remains as fresh today as it was shocking in 2003. The UR-103.08, launched in 2007, was one of the subsequent references that featured a more open layout, with the mesmerising wandering hours mechanism on display.

The monocoque case of the UR-13.08 – 50mm in length, 36mm across, and 13.8mm at its highest point – features a core crafted from stainless steel. Coated on top is a less than four-micron layer of TiAlN – titanium aluminium nitride – giving it not just its signature brownish, aubergine shade but a hardness of almost 4,000 Vickers. This makes the case almost as tolerant to scratches as the sapphire crystal on the dial side.

The wandering hours system, with rotating discs affixed to four Maltese cross bases, is designed to be shock tolerant. The relay is designed so only one of the four discs turns once an hour, while another makes its way across the 120° arc where the minutes have been laid out across 60 graduations, with the quarter hours marked by Arabic numerals. The wandering disks also feature Arabic hours. All numerals and minute markers are coated with luminous material. The wandering hour display is mounted on a baseplate of ARCAP P40, an alloy noted for its anti-magnetic properties and its strength.

Worth noting on the dial side are the sharp angles on the edges of the sapphire crystal, a quality that is only found in some of the earliest examples of the 103.08. Later examples of the reference transitioned to crystals with more rounded edges that were easier to produce. In total, fewer than 20 such cases with angular corners around the crystal are believed to have been produced.

The lugs, along the bottom rim of the case, are marginally recessed. This shortens the span between lugs, while the bottoms lugs in an arched shape, follow the curvature of the wrist. In between the top lugs is the oversized crown that is easy to grip and manipulate. The watch comes on an alligator leather strap as well as one crafted from a technical material. The pin buckle securing them is also stainless steel with the same TiAlN coating.

Taking inspiration from marine chronometres of past, some of the functional displays have been moved to the blackened titanium caseback. These displays, that are clearly inspired by aircraft cockpits, feature a power reserve indicator as well as an 8-shaped window that is home to the “Chrono Meter” registers. It includes a seconds’ display overlapping a window that is designed for accurate time-setting in between the quarter-hour gaps on the dial-side minutes arc. Adjacent to it is a fine-tuning screw that wearers can use to adjust the watch’s timing accuracy by up to ±30 seconds/day. The UR-103.08 is powered by the manual wind calibre 3.03 that beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour. The watch has recently been serviced by the brand.

It comes with its original watch box that mirrors the shape of the case as well as a certificate of guarantee and instruction manual.

Closer look

Condition

This Urwerk UR-103.08 TiAlN is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs show virtually no signs of wear throughout. The titanium aluminium nitride (TiAlN) coating on the case has been recently re-coated by Urwerk, and a full mechanical service was carried out. The dial, rotating discs, angular sapphire crystal, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections.

The watch comes with its original box and paperwork. The latter, having gathered some light "foxing" over time.

Warranty

The watch comes with the remainder of its two-year servicing warranty from Urwerk, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.