Urwerk - The Geneva Watch Auction: X Geneva Saturday, November 9, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Urwerk
    Year: 2014
    Reference No: UR-105 M
    Case No: G15 211 limited edition 23/77
    Model Name: Iron Knight
    Material: Stainless steel and titanium
    Calibre: Automatic, UR 5.01, 52 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Black canvas strap
    Clasp/Buckle: Black PVD-coated stainless steel Urwerk pin buckle
    Dimensions: 39.50mm Wide x 53mm Length
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Urwerk fitted box, outer packaging, International Warranty and Owner's Manual.
    Literature: Urwerk is featured in Twelve Faces of Time: Horological Virtuosos by Elisabeth Doerr and Ralph Baumgarten pp. 182-198

  • 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 horlogerie.

    Founded in 1997 by genius watchmaker Felix Baumgartner and maverick designer Martin Frei, the Urwerk philosophy was from the beginning a time telling display based on rotating elements.
    With the present UR-105, Urwerk goes back to its roots and revisits the satellite time indication that is an emblematic and instantly recognizable signature element of the brand. The hours are indicated via a carousel that carries four rotating discs, each bearing three numerals for the hours. The hours successively sweep past the minutes scale on the lower part of the watch.

    The running seconds and power reserve are displayed playfully on the caseband. The back of the watch features what the brand calls a “control panel” with a power reserve display, an indication of when the watch needs servicing as well as a fine-tuning screw allowing adjustment of the rate.

    If the UR-105 makes you think of a knights armor you not mistaken, Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei were inspired by the gear of Medival knight.

    Bold and conspicuous, this watch is not only a symbol of contemporary horology, but also an amalgamation of the brand's futuristic vision, combined with traditional watchmaking and romantic lore.
    Please note that Urwerk offers a complementary service of the watch to the winning bidder.

  • 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. UR-105 M
A fine, rare and unusual titanium and stainless steel limited edition wristwatch with three-dimensional satellite hour display and power reserve

2014
39.50mm Wide x 53mm Length
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF15,000 - 25,000 
€14,100-23,500
$15,600-26,000

Sold for CHF35,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: X

Geneva Auction 9-10 November 2019