Emmanuel Esposito is the creator of extraordinary art knives and the collaborator involved in the release of the new Urwerk UR-T8 Colibri just unveiled at Baselworld 2019. This unique piece that is sold accompanied by an art knife by Esposito is a very elaborate piece of horology with the most unique look. Esposito’s passion for knives started at an early age back home in Italy. He developed his distinctive and unique style over the years, using high-tech materials like carbon fiber and metal alloys along with traditional materials like gold and mother of pearl. When URWERK approached him with an offer to work together, and showed him the UR-T8, he said yes unhesitatingly and decided to create a one-off matching knife for the watch. The UR-T8 Colibri watch will thus come with a T8 Colibri knife.

The Urwerk UR-T8 Colibri is paired with its art knife the Colibri T-8 model. This knife is a customized folding knife and its handle frame in 416 stainless steel encases a blade mechanism, which runs on ceramic ball bearings. The knife's handle, lock button and blade spine feature black lip mother of pearl mosaic inlays, designed with an alternating light technique, which creates a distinctive chromatic effect much like the feathers on a Colibri —the French and Spanish word for hummingbird.

Every piece of pearl is connected by individual 18K gold pins, and each mosaic inlay is outlined with a black vintage Bakelite frame. The diamond patterned mosaic inlay is paired with a titanium insert, 3-D sculpted with the same pattern as the Urwerk T8 case. Additionally, the shape of the patented C-Lock mechanism, which locks the blade in both the open and closed positions, has been redesigned to resemble the outline of the Urwerk T8 case. A very special attribute of this knife is the inclusion of a sapphire glass window which displays a kinetic internal turbine, similar to the working turbine in an Urwerk watch mechanism.   

Things to Know About the Watch

The new Urwerk UR-T8 Colibri watch case features the same mosaic inlay technique used in the folding knife's inlays. Hundreds of individual pieces of black-lip mother of pearl were cut into diamond shapes then hand-sorted and arranged according to how each reflects the light. The resulting mosaic inlay oscillates between light and dark with movement. Pins in 18k gold accentuate each pearl intersection, and the two mosaic inlays are set into stainless steel frames and housed in the 3-D sculpted titanium watch case.  

The new Urwerk UR-T8 Colibri Pièce unique features a very unique flip-over case in blackened grade 5 titanium set with two black-lip mother of pearl inserts designed and created by Emmanuel Esposito. The case is massive measuring 60.23mm x 48.35mm x 20.02mm and the watch features its signature satellite complication with rotating hour modules mounted on planetary gears. Powering the new UR-T8 Colibri is the automatic in-house Urwerk calibre UR 8.01. This movement with a single barrel, provides a power reserve of 48 hours when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 28,800 vph. To turn the watch around and swivel the case, two pushers on each side of the case need to be pressed at the same time while swiveling the case up and around. An incredible design and work of art between Urwerk and Esposito. Literally a timepiece that can be worn on both sides, much like a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso.

The Urwerk UR-T8 Colibri unique piece is of course equipped with long lasting superluminova that adds even more character and appeal to the already very sexy and attractive looking watch. The Urwerk UR-T8 Colibri is one of the most unique watches out there and yet another incredible timepiece released by Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei.

On the Wrist & Price

On the wrist, the new Urwerk UR-T8 Colibri wears really big and massive but surprisingly comfortably due to its light titanium construction. More like a kinetic sculpture on the wrist, one can choose to witness the passing of time on its satellite complication or the work of art that resembles the pearlescent shimmering feathers of a hummingbird.

Sticker Price Upon Request. For more info on Urwerk click here.