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

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  • Manufacturer: Urwerk
    Year: Circa 2010
    Reference No: UR103T
    Model Name: UR-103T - « Tarantula »
    Material: 18K white gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 3.04, 21 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Kaki green canvas and alligator strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Black plastic buckle
    Dimensions: 45mm length (excluding the lugs) and 36mm width
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Urwerk presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Urwerk is one of the founders of what is known today as “Creative Independent Horology”, a genre born in the last years of the 20th century and that unashamedly brought together alternative time displays, bold designs, and haute horology. Founded in 1997 by Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei, their creations take inspiration from the pop culture they grew up with such as SciFi, comics and design. With their unorthodox inspiration, the duo brought a completely fresh and addictive approach to watches and watchmaking.

    The UR-103T was launched in 2010 as a limited edition of Urwerk’s classic 103 model in thirty-three pieces in white gold, the UR-103T - « Tarantula » such as the present example.

    With an adventurous approach and groundbreaking complication, the timepiece features four three-dimensional orbiting and revolving satellites hour-display, a gamechanger to time reading. The model 103 was the watch which arguably put Urwerk on the horological map. Unlike the classic model, the 103T includes the addition of a large sapphire crystal, unveiling its mechanism for all to see. The carrousel holding the time satellites is reminiscent of a spider's legs, and as such "crawls" as it moves, giving the watch a more aggressive and venomous look, hence the name "Tarantula".

    Incredibly captivating and innovative, the present watch is part of the extremely limited edition of examples cased in white gold and is preserved in excellent condition. More than a horological sculpture, the UR-103T is a must have in a collection of independent creators; the immortalization of the ingenuity and daring nature 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.

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Ref. UR103T
A captivating and innovative limited edition white gold wristwatch with three-dimensional satellite hour display and presentation box, one of a limited edition of 33 pieces

Circa 2010
45mm length (excluding the lugs) and 36mm width
Case, dial and movement signed

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

Sold for CHF44,450

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