Urwerk - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: NINE Hong Kong Monday, November 25, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Urwerk
    Year: Circa 2009
    Reference No: UR CC1
    Model Name: "King Cobra"
    Material: 18K white gold and titanium
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. UR-8.02
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Blackened titanium Urwerk deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 42mm width x 52mm length
    Signed: Dial, case, movement and clasp

  • Catalogue Essay

    Founded in 1997 by master watchmaker Felix Baumgartner and chief designer Martin Frei, Urwerk represents a new wave of horologist approaching watchmaking at a different angle as witnessed in all timepieces produced by the young and highly accomplished independent manufacturer.

    In 1958, the famed manufacturer, Patek Philippe created a one-off prototype piece nicknamed the “Cobra”, designed by the infamous Louis Cottier. Since the initial prototype was produced, no manufacturer has ever successfully attempted and succeeded in creating a reinterpretation of the “Cobra”, until September 2009, when Baumgartner and Frei introduced the UR CC1 “King Cobra”. With inspiration from the example from 1958, the UR CC1 features a linear hour display, a retrograde minute display and furthermore patented the world’s first linear and digital seconds display. Enhanced by an electrifying neon yellow luminous numeral display on the dial, it immediately draws attention to the watch. With a successful homage paid to the original inspirer, the “CC” represents “Cottier” and “Cobra”. The present example is a beautiful and rare timepiece meticulously crafted and created by two bright stars of horology.

    Furthermore, Urwerk has kindly agreed to provide a service for the new owner of the present timepiece with all costs covered by 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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Σ827

Ref. UR CC1
A very fine and unusual limited edition white gold and titanium oversized rectangular-shaped wristwatch with linear jumping hours, linear retrograde minutes and digital and linear seconds, limited edition of 25 pieces

Circa 2009
42mm width x 52mm length
Dial, case, movement and clasp

Estimate
HK$200,000 - 350,000 
€22,800-39,900
$25,600-44,900

Sold for HK$1,625,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
thomasperazzi@phillips.com
+852 2318 2001

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: NINE

Hong Kong Auction 25-26 November 2019