Urwerk - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII Hong Kong Friday, May 24, 2024 | Phillips

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  • Condition Report

  • Description

    View our Conditions of Sale.

  • Manufacturer: Urwerk
    Year: Circa 2010s
    Reference No: UR-CC1
    Model Name: King Cobra
    Material: AlTiN-coated 18K white gold and titanium
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. UR-8.02, 37 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Titanium Urwerk deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 52mm length x 42mm width
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by blank Urwerk certificate, additional titanium pin buckle, product literature, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The concept of representing time in a circular manner has been prevalent since the invention of the chronometer. However, Urwerk challenges this traditional notion by presenting time in a linear fashion, inspired by the idea of drawing a straight timeline on a black page to mark "Past, Present, and Future". This unique perspective stems from the fact that creating a movement that continuously rotates is much easier than developing one that follows a straight line and returns to zero. Prior to the launch of Urwerk's collection, no one had successfully created a wristwatch with true retrograde linear displays.

    In 2009, Urwerk introduced the King Cobra as a tribute to a Patek Philippe prototype designed by Louis Cottier, now housed in the Patek Philippe Museum. This homage to Cottier and its linear time display became the inspiration for the collection’s name "CC" (Cottier and Cobra).

    Notably, Urwerk patented the world's first linear and digital seconds display, showcased on the top dial of the timepiece. The hours are indicated by a straight line on the bottom dial, while the minutes are displayed through a line with hash marks positioned just above. When the minute marker reaches the red 60-notch, it jumps back to zero, and simultaneously, the hour "line" advances to the next hour.

    The avant-garde AlTiN (Aluminium Titane Nitride) coating on the white gold case adds an intriguing and mysterious allure to the watch, while also providing a more scratch-resistant case. With its remarkable presence on the wrist, the watch is instantly recognizable from a distance, leaving observers in awe of its perfectly executed mechanical prowess. Limited to only 25 pieces, this timepiece further comes with its full set of accessories.

  • 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.

    View More Works

Σ903

Ref. UR-CC1
A "never-worn", very fine and unusual limited edition AlTiN-coated white gold and titanium oversized rectangular-shaped wristwatch with linear jumping hours, linear retrograde minutes, digital and linear seconds, certificate and presentation box, part of a limited edition of 25 pieces

Circa 2010s
52mm length x 42mm width
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$750,000 - 1,500,000 
€90,100-180,000
$96,200-192,000

Place Advance Bid
Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031
WatchesHK@phillips.com
 

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+ 852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com
 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2024