Urwerk - The New York Watch Auction: NINE New York Saturday, December 9, 2023 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Urwerk
    Year: Circa 2013
    Reference No: UR-110PT
    Model Name: Torpedo
    Material: Titanium and platinum
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. UR-9.01, 46 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Urwerk pin buckle
    Dimensions: 47mm width x 51mm length
    Signed: Case and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Urwerk Certificate and International Guarantee stamped Hausmann Condotti, Roma, and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Founded in 1995 by watchmaker Felix Baumgartner and industrial designer Martin Frei, Urwerk’s watches are playfully futuristic, influenced by a passion for space travel and science fiction. Their first wristwatches were released in 1997 with the references UR 101 and 102 featuring a wandering hour time display. In 2008, the brand introduced the UR-202 that featured Urwerk’s innovative winding system using compressed air. The movement has two miniature pneumatic turbines coupled with a winding rotor, and depending on the wearer’s level of activity, the movement will self-adjust. The dynamic winding system spins freely during normal activity, reduces spin during more rigorous activity, and eliminates it entirely during extreme activity, exerting less wear on the movement and extending the overall lifespan.

    The UR-110 collection was launched in 2011, continuing Urwerk’s commitment to radical time displays, using their orbital satellite complication. In 2011 the watch won the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve for Best Design Watch. The present UR-110PT is one of a very limited edition of 20 timepieces launched in 2013 outfitted with a platinum satin-finished bezel, satin-polished screws, and a sand-blasted titanium crown protector and main plate. Equipped with three hour-satellites that orbit around the asymmetric dial, the time is displayed on the right side of the watch. A control board with day/night indicator, a small seconds sub-dial, and an oil change indication that alerts the wearer of when a service is due is located underneath.

    When launched, the UR-110 was an instant hit among watch enthusiasts. It presented a brilliant new take on the wandering hours complication, packaged inside an asymmetrical design. The present UR-110PT is a bold, avant-garde creation that has had an indelible impact in the Swiss watchmaking industry; this complete example is certain to delight any enthusiast of mechanical watchmaking.

  • 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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Σ5

Ref. UR-110PT
A very rare and unusual limited edition titanium wristwatch with platinum bezel, satellite time display, day and night indication, twin turbines, oil change indication, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 2013
47mm width x 51mm length
Case and buckle signed

Estimate
$30,000 - 60,000 
CHF27,000-54,000
€28,100-56,100
HK$234,000-468,000
S$40,700-81,500

Sold for $50,800

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: NINE

New York Auction 9 - 10 December 2023