Urwerk - The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN Geneva Saturday, May 12, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Urwerk
    Year: Circa 2013
    Reference No: UR-110 RG
    Case No: 53/55
    Model Name: Torpedo
    Material: 18K pink gold and PVD-treated titanium
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. UR 9.01, 46 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: Urwerk PVD-treated titanium double deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 46mm Width, 50mm Length
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by additional Urwerk black fabric strap, box, guarantee and owner's manual

  • Catalogue Essay

    Some watches will forever be remembered for their cameos on the silver screen. The Rolex Submariner is unmistakably known as James Bond’s watch. The Heuer Monaco remains associated with Steve McQueen and the film Le Mans to this day. Even the unusual Seiko chronograph worn by Sigourney Weaver in Aliens will go down as a movie icon.
    Last year, another extraordinary and rare watch was seen by millions of viewers for the first time following its big screen debut. The Urwerk UR-110RG worn by Robert Downey Jr. in Spiderman: Homecoming, wasn’t just part of the actor’s wardrobe, it was one the many gadgets used throughout the film by his characters, Tony Stark and Iron Man . A fan of Urwerk himself, Downey Jr. personally identified the UR-110RG as a perfect fit for the genius billionaire-turned-superhero, but the watch almost never made it to the set.

    Launched seven years ago, the UR-110 was an instant hit with watch enthusiasts. It presented a brilliant new take on the wandering hours complication, packaged inside a asymmetrical watch made in titanium. Here was a little-known watchmaker with just a few models in its collection, boldly introducing another avant-garde design inspired by space travel and science fiction – making its indelible mark in the Swiss watchmaking industry.

    Little did they know one of the most famous names in Hollywood was a patron of theirs. A self-confessed watch enthusiast, Robert Downey Jr. has a noteworthy collection which he has shared publically in the past, and his passion for mechanical watches is now seeping into his movie projects. A few months before filming Spiderman: Homecoming , Downey Jr. asked the film’s costume department to source a UR-110 in rose gold - the colours of Iron Man of course.

    A call was placed to source a rose gold version for the duration of the film shoot but Urwerk originally turned down the studio’s offer, suspecting it to be a prank call, or perhaps even worse, a project motivated by strictly commercial motivations. Their position changed quickly when they heard Downey Jr. had asked for the watch personally. Weeks later, the company’s press manager flew from Geneva to Pinewood Studios in Los Angeles to hand-deliver a brand new UR-110 RG.

    Robert Downey Jr. wore the watch throughout the shooting of the film before returning it to Urwerk. The watch is featured regularly on Tony Stark’s wrist, and in one particular scene, is used as a functional gadget for Iron Man.

    Once the film hit theaters, the actor and the watchmaker began discussing the fate of Iron Man ’s watch and eventually decided to give the public an opportunity to acquire the superhero’s watch, in order to help raise funds for Manusodany, a non-profit organization, founded in August 26, 2007 which helps fund development projects in favor of the underprivileged populations in Haiti most notably in
    the fields of schooling and orphanages.

    It is important to point out of the present iteration of the UR-110 is made even more attractive and collectible by its limited edition and numbered status. As displayed on the back of the case, only 55 such pieces were made, all of which were sold. The UR-110 was recently discontinued so this is a rare opportunity for fans of Urwerk.

  • Artist Biography

    Urwerk

    Swiss • 1997

    The Swiss firm's name "Urwerk" is a play on the German word meaning clockwork. "Ur" is an ancient Sumerian city in which the populace used sundials for timekeeping, while "werk" is German for creation. The company started by Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei is known for their innovative avant-garde designs inspired by space travel. With their own take on time indication, like many of their contemporaries, their futuristic timepieces are rooted in high-end traditional watchmaking. Their signature floating method of time indication using rotating satellites traces back to a watch made in 1656. Producing only 150 watches per year, they have impressed connoisseurs with their innovativeness and cutting-edge technical prowess.

    View More Works

Σ140

Ref. UR-110 RG
A very fine, rare and unusual limited edition pink gold and PVD-treated titanium automatic wristwatch with satellite time display, day/night indication and oil change indication, worn by Robert Downey Jr. in Spiderman: Homecoming

Circa 2013
46mm Width, 50mm Length
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 100,000 
€42,900-85,700
$52,900-106,000

Sold for CHF150,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+41 22 317 81 81
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SEVEN

Geneva Auction 12-13 May 2018