This new creation is the fourth episode in the UR-100 saga, recounting the adventures of an atypical time instrument written, produced, and directed by Urwerk. The UR-100 Gold Edition pushes the boundaries of technology, design, indications, and functionality. First and foremost, the UR-100 Gold Edition is very slim for a satellite-geared watch with angular contours; it’s an elongated octagon with three notched sides. The form uses subtle asymmetry, taking clues from Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon. This UR-100 is cut from a solid block of 2N yellow gold, it’s surface satin-finished to the same pale shine as the Star Wars droid. Topping the case is a sapphire crystal bubble reminiscent of the shape of the first Urwerk models.
"Science fiction has been an inexhaustible source of inspiration since the creation of Urwerk", explains Urwerk’s co-founder Martin Frei. “I have been a sci-fi geek since childhood. My father was an engineer and worked on incredible projects, including the Apollo Lunar Rover. He was my hero and left me his love of the cosmos and his dreams."
The UR-100’s astrophysics govern the Urwerk universe with rotating satellites displaying the hours and minutes. Isochronal revolutions create a miniature cosmic ballet, the hour satellites also displaying minutes as they traverse 120 degrees across the bright green scale. A bold red arrowhead marks the confluence of hours and minutes, offering a unique, highly legible, and intuitive time display.
After each of the three red minute arrowheads passes the numeral 60 they disappear and then reappear again on two separate kilometer scales. The first display at 9 o'clock marks the 555 km traveled along the equator during 20 minutes of the earth’s rotation, the second display at 3 o'clock indicates the distance — 35,740 kilometers— traveled by the earth as it orbits the around the sun over 20 minutes. Spacetime never looked so good; Einstein would be proud. The 2N yellow gold case measures 41 mm in width by 49.7 mm in length and 14 mm in thickness.
Even while maneuvering at light speed, the automatic winding system is never overloaded thanks to the Windfänger’s regulation of the oscillating mass. This planetary gear limits the speed of rotation of the rotor, minimizing both excessive winding and wear and maximizing reliability and lifespan. The beating heart of the UR-100 Gold Edition is the automatic calibre UR 12.01. This 39-jewel movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph to provide a power reserve of 48 hours when fully wound. The movement is fully visible via the display case back.
The UR-100 Gold Edition was meticulously assembled from high precision components in Geneva. And just as the lovable golden droid has cemented its place in the collective imagination of science fiction lovers, Urwerk’s golden UR-100 carves out its own niche in the hearts of sci-watch aficionados.
“The Urwerk team doesn’t have doctors, nurses, cleaners, or even delivery personal. We are simply artisans realizing our dreams making watches. So to participate in the fight against COVID-19, Urwerk will auction the first UR-100 in gold, on the Urwerk website, and distribute all money raised to organizations fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The auction will begin at 4 pm Geneva time on Friday, May 8th, 2020, and run over two days.
Urwerk along with the successful bidder of the No. 1 UR-100 Gold Edition “Fight C-19” will select which organizations fighting COVID-19 will benefit from the proceeds from the sale of this new timepiece. The Urwerk UR-100 Gold Edition is available in a limited edition of 25 pieces.
Sticker Price CHF 58,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $60,000 USD. For more info on Urwerk click here.
