146
Urban Jürgensen
Reference 2 "Prototype"
A rare and attractive yellow gold perpetual calendar automatic prototype wristwatch with moon phases, engine-turned dial, extract and presentation box
Estimate
CHF40,000–80,000
€43,300–86,600
$50,100–100,000
Live 10 May, 2 PM Switzerland Time
Manufacturer
Urban Jürgensen
Year
1996
Movement No
000000
Case No
4204
Model Name
Reference 2 "Prototype"
Material
18k yellow gold
Calibre
Automatic, cal. FP 71 case, jeweled
Bracelet/Strap
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
18k yellow gold Urban Jürgensen clasp
Dimensions
38mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Urban Jürgensen Extract from the Archives confirming PROTO on the dial and its date of manufacture of January 7, 1996, presentation box and outer packaging.
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- Perpetual calendar
- Prototype model of the reference 2 with dial marked "PROTO"
- Only known prototype example in yellow gold
The wristwatches produced during the rebirth of Urban Jürgensen in the 1980s and 1990s embody a seamless fusion of tradition and modernity that reinvigorated contemporary watchmaking. Under the stewardship of Peter Baumberger, together with the revered English watchmaker Derek Pratt, the firm was revived with an unyielding devotion to technical mastery, timeless aesthetics, and uncompromising artisanal craft. It is highly likely that the present reference 2 was executed entirely by Derek Pratt himself, including the fabrication and finishing of its remarkable dial.
Yet, the present watch is not just any reference 2—it is a prototype, as seen on the dial. The Extract from the Archives furthermore confirms that the dial bears the "Proto" text. With a movement number of 000000, it was most probably used as a test for the new reference before it was made into serial production. To the best of our knowledge, it is the only reference 2 prototype in yellow gold that has ever come on the market, underscoring the importance of the timepiece (we know of one other example cased in pink gold).
Visually, the watch is a study in classical elegance. A satin outer track with Roman numerals and crisp minute divisions encircles a guilloché center of striking refinement. The perpetual calendar indications are arranged with perfect symmetry: apertures for the day and month span the horizontal axis, while the date and moonphase subdials are aligned vertically.
- Perpetual calendar
- Prototype model of the reference 2 with dial marked "PROTO"
- Only known prototype example in yellow gold
The wristwatches produced during the rebirth of Urban Jürgensen in the 1980s and 1990s embody a seamless fusion of tradition and modernity that reinvigorated contemporary watchmaking. Under the stewardship of Peter Baumberger, together with the revered English watchmaker Derek Pratt, the firm was revived with an unyielding devotion to technical mastery, timeless aesthetics, and uncompromising artisanal craft. It is highly likely that the present reference 2 was executed entirely by Derek Pratt himself, including the fabrication and finishing of its remarkable dial.
Yet, the present watch is not just any reference 2—it is a prototype, as seen on the dial. The Extract from the Archives furthermore confirms that the dial bears the "Proto" text. With a movement number of 000000, it was most probably used as a test for the new reference before it was made into serial production. To the best of our knowledge, it is the only reference 2 prototype in yellow gold that has ever come on the market, underscoring the importance of the timepiece (we know of one other example cased in pink gold).
Visually, the watch is a study in classical elegance. A satin outer track with Roman numerals and crisp minute divisions encircles a guilloché center of striking refinement. The perpetual calendar indications are arranged with perfect symmetry: apertures for the day and month span the horizontal axis, while the date and moonphase subdials are aligned vertically.