34
Urban Jürgensen
Reference 6
A most probably unique and never publicly before offered yellow gold wristwatch with lapis lazuli dial and manual-winding movement
Estimate
CHF40,000–80,000
€43,900–87,900
$50,700–101,000
Live 9 May, 2 PM Switzerland Time
Manufacturer
Urban Jürgensen
Year
Circa 1990
Movement No
6007
Model Name
Reference 6
Material
18k yellow gold
Calibre
Manual, cal. Frédéric Piguet, 20 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
18k yellow gold Urban Jürgensen clasp
Signed
Case, dial and movement signed
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- Important and possibly unique reference 6
- The reference was never a commercial success and thus extremely rare today; only a few examples were ever made
- Only mentioned in literature, this watch is available for the first time in history for public sale
There are watches so rare that collectors have only spoken about them in hushed tones, without ever having seen one in the flesh. Seen perhaps fleetingly in literature, but never revealed in public. The present watch, most probably reference 6 by Urban Jürgensen, is one such timepiece. Its presence marks the first time it has ever appeared at auction for public acquisition.
So rare is this timepiece that this sentiment is echoed by both Helmut Crott and Hans Ryser in an article by A Collected Man. Crott says, “The sales director at the brand told me that he sold only about one or two examples.” Ryser adds, “I don’t know much about it, except that I have only seen one sample. I never sold one, but Peter told me he had sold a few pieces. [I had] never seen the movement either.”
The reference 6 first appeared on the market in the mid-1990s and remained in the catalogues until at least 2003. With a manual winding Frédéric Piguet calibre movement, the reference 6 is the only Urban Jürgensen model from this period that does not have an automatic movement. The tonneau case is a distinct departure from the teardrop lugs of other references, such as the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Instead of the usually found Observatory-style hands, the present example has sword-shaped ones. Finally, the lapis lazuli dial is unlike anything ever made by the brand during this period. While we do not know the origins of the design, one can say definitively that it showcases and represents the brand's willingness to pivot and daringly challenge its own status quo, underscoring the significance of this watch.
It is always a surprise and delight when a lost gem comes to the market for the first time, marking an important moment for both collectors and scholars of Urban Jürgensen.
- Important and possibly unique reference 6
- The reference was never a commercial success and thus extremely rare today; only a few examples were ever made
- Only mentioned in literature, this watch is available for the first time in history for public sale
There are watches so rare that collectors have only spoken about them in hushed tones, without ever having seen one in the flesh. Seen perhaps fleetingly in literature, but never revealed in public. The present watch, most probably reference 6 by Urban Jürgensen, is one such timepiece. Its presence marks the first time it has ever appeared at auction for public acquisition.
So rare is this timepiece that this sentiment is echoed by both Helmut Crott and Hans Ryser in an article by A Collected Man. Crott says, “The sales director at the brand told me that he sold only about one or two examples.” Ryser adds, “I don’t know much about it, except that I have only seen one sample. I never sold one, but Peter told me he had sold a few pieces. [I had] never seen the movement either.”
The reference 6 first appeared on the market in the mid-1990s and remained in the catalogues until at least 2003. With a manual winding Frédéric Piguet calibre movement, the reference 6 is the only Urban Jürgensen model from this period that does not have an automatic movement. The tonneau case is a distinct departure from the teardrop lugs of other references, such as the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Instead of the usually found Observatory-style hands, the present example has sword-shaped ones. Finally, the lapis lazuli dial is unlike anything ever made by the brand during this period. While we do not know the origins of the design, one can say definitively that it showcases and represents the brand's willingness to pivot and daringly challenge its own status quo, underscoring the significance of this watch.
It is always a surprise and delight when a lost gem comes to the market for the first time, marking an important moment for both collectors and scholars of Urban Jürgensen.