Urwerk returns to the past with the “reboot” UR-102.

Quirky watch design house Urwerk is back 26 years to revisit one of its classics presented at Baselworld 1997 with a new “reboot” version of their space-age themed UR-102 wristwatch that brings a fresh twist to their minimalist style. .

Urwerk has built a reputation for creating a line of wristwatches that push the boundaries of watch aesthetics and the way hours, minutes and seconds are displayed. Many of them are incredibly complex, but Urwerk also offers amazingly elegant timepieces.

In 1997, Urwerk introduced its UR-102 wristwatch with a sleek, streamlined design inspired by the first satellite launched in the USSR in 1957. This tweaks the features and introduces titanium replacing the ceramic aluminum case of the original and smoothes the design by moving the crown to merge with it at the 4 o’clock position.

Urverk

But the highlight of the UR-102 is still its display, based on a clock design from 1656 but rarely seen since. The complication of a wandering watch is called, only one moving part of the display is visible. The dial consists of a semicircular arch, on which the minutes are marked. A bar moves above this with a window showing the current hour. As the bar moves, the hour window is positioned above the current minute until it reaches the far end. It then disappears and is replaced by another window showing the next hour.

The new arrangement remains the same, although the font has been improved for readability, and the tape, made from anodized aluminum, has the UR-102 information printed on it, reflecting the color scheme of the original.

The UR-102 “reloaded” is larger than its predecessor, with a 41 mm case instead of a 38 mm one. The case comes in both brushed titanium and black, both included. Inside is an automatic caliber 2.02 movement with 25 jewels, clocked at 28,800 vibrations per hour and with a 48-hour power reserve. The display is protected by a custom-made sapphire crystal and the watch is water-resistant to 30 m (100 ft, 3 ATM). All this is completed on a rubber strap with a textured Baltimore Quilt pattern and a microblasted titanium buckle.

The UR-102 “reloaded” is limited to 25 pieces and will set you back CHF 56,000 ($60,000).

Source: Urverk