Urwerk - The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX Geneva Friday, November 10, 2017 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Urwerk
    Year: 2014
    Reference No: UR-202
    Material: Black Platinum
    Calibre: Automatic, UR 7.02, 34 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: Black platinum pin buckle
    Dimensions: 43.5mm. Width, 48mm. Length
    Signed: Dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Urwerk guarantee dated December 9, 2014 confirming the present watch is a Unique Piece and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Today, Urwerk is best known for its revolving satellite time display. The ingenious system made its debut on the Opus V - a collaboration between Urwerk and the storied American jeweler Harry Winston. The revolving satellite time display comprises of three cubes. Each cube has four faces, with one hour numeral on each face. As the watch is wound, the cubes rotate individually to show the hour. At the same time, a telescopic minute hand extends to point the minutes.

    Reference UR-202 is the most coveted of all Urwerk watches. Audacious and daring, its unusual case design has inspired the nickname "The Hammerhead". This watch is cased in black platinum and features a striped guilloché dial. It is only one of its kind, as confirmed by the guarantee, stating this watch is a Unique Piece. Furthermore, the color scheme is highly unusual and eye catching. The minutes are florescent green, while the hours are red.

    This watch features an automatic movement regulated by twin turbines, which is a defining feature of Urwerk's timepieces. Connected to the winding mechanism, the turbines can be adjusted through a lever on the case back. While the wearer is being inactive, the automatic movement can be "free", meaning that the turbines spin at full throttle. Meanwhile, during sporting activities, the lever can be switched to "stop", which stops the turbines altogether.

    Bold and conspicuous, it's not only a symbol of contemporary horology, but also an amalgamation of the brand's futuristic vision, combined with traditional watchmaking and romantic lore.

  • 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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Σ160

Ref. UR-202
An impressive, large and unique black platinum wristwatch with three-dimensional satellite hour display, telescopic minute hand, twin turbin winding system, moon phases, day and night indicator, guarantee and fitted presentation box

2014
43.5mm. Width, 48mm. Length
Dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF50,000 - 70,000 
€43,200-60,400
$51,700-72,300

Sold for CHF68,750

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
+41 22 317 81 89
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: SIX

Geneva Auctions 11 - 12 November 2017