Urban Jürgensen - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII Geneva Saturday, May 13, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Urban Jürgensen
    Year: 2013
    Reference No: 11CR
    Movement No: 12
    Case No: 12
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. P8 detent escapement, 25 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Urban Jürgensen strap
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold Urban Jürgensen pin buckle
    Dimensions: 42mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Urban Jürgensen Certificate of Authenticity dated 19th December 2013, instruction manual, product literature, presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    A historic invention, the detent (or chronometer) escapement is one of the most accurate types of escapements. Developed in the mid-18th Century, it was mostly used in marine chronometers. The balance wheel in the detent escapement swings undisturbed during most of its cycle except during the brief impulse period, which is only given once per cycle. It runs virtually without friction. However, this escapement was very sensitive to shocks and thus was never made in a wristwatch format… until a dream team at Urban Jurgensen composed of Derek Pratt, Kari Voutilainen and Jean-Francois Mojon changed horological history.

    In 2003, Urban Jurgensen’s master watchmaker Derek Pratt started working on a pivoted detent escapement in an existing Unitas caliber. After encouraging results, it was decided that a wristwatch movement with a pivoted detent escapement would be created in a series. The project was then handed over to Jean-Francois Mojon, a movement constructor and watchmaker. The third member of this incredible “galactic team” was Kari Voutilainen, who was trusted with not only the difficult task of finishing, regulating and assembling the first series prototypes but also creating the beautiful guilloché dials. The prototype of the new caliber P8 with its patented chronometer escapement and safety system was introduced in Basel fair 2011. The same year, the Urban Jürgensen P8 caliber won first prize for best innovation at the SIAR Mexico fair. Another important award was achieved in 2014 when the UJS Ref 11C SC received the first prize in the GPHG Men’s category.

    The brand archive states that of about 40 finished prototypes altogether for Version 1A and 1B (the only difference of V1B versus V1A is the skeleton balance bridge) 15 were cased in pink gold, 13 in platinum and 12 in steel. These watches were not intended for official sale but fully assembled for testing purposes. This timepiece is certainly a connoisseur’s choice and a great addition to any watch collection.

Σ111

Ref. 11CR
An attractive, rare and well-preserved pink gold prototype wristwatch with detent escapement, power reserve, certificate of origin and presentation box

2013
42mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF25,000 - 50,000 
€26,000-52,000
$28,600-57,100

Sold for CHF76,200

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
AGhotbi@phillips.com

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVII

Geneva Auction 13 - 14 May 2023