The co-Founder of Urwerk, Martin Frei, perfectly described his company’s newest creation, by stating that: „The UR-210 embodies the symbiotic relationship between man and his watch.” This timepiece has recently been unveiled, a full year after the presentation of the UR-110 Torpedo. Our hero today is Urwerk’s UR-210, appointed the “Urwerk Maltese Falcon”.
The beak of the Maltese Falcon is beautifully showcased in the shape of the retrograde minute indicator, similar to the Opus V. In addition, the watch features the first winding efficiency complication in the world, and a stunning aggressive appearance. The UR-210 minute hand can be seen above the signature Urwerk satellite hour display. It also displays the hour satellite during its movement, along a 120 degree arc at the bottom of the dial, through a small gap.
The power reserve indicator is found at the 1 o’clock position, in red and white, while, symmetrically, at 11 o’clock, in red and green, the winding efficiency complication gauge can also be admired. In case of minimum level activity, the indicator will be directed towards the red zone, telling the user that the piece runs on stored energy.
If the owner becomes more active, the indicator will point towards the green zone, showing that the automatic rotor actively winds the watch. The principle behind this is not torque measuring, as Urwerk states, but the calculations of the differences between the generated and consumed energy of the mainspring.
Urwerk’s Felix Baumgartner seems quite astonished himself by this watch, stating that: “in terms of the degree of evolution of the satellite carousel, I feel with the UR-210 that we have reached the pinnacle of what we can do with this complication. The UR-210 represents a serious accomplishment for Urwerk.
This timepiece opens a new chapter in the evolution of our complications. It doesn’t just measure a universal value in a completely original way, but starts a real dialogue between the watch and its wearer. The UR-210 indicates your personal activity; this is yours and nobody else’s.”
Some of the other features worth mentioning, besides the innovative complication, are the titanium and steel case measuring 43.8 mm in width, 17.8 mm in thickness and 53.6 mm in length, 30 meters – 3 ATM water resistance, satin surface finish and sapphire crystal. Under the cover, a caliber UR-7.10 movement is hiding, with 51 jewels, monometallic balance and Swiss level escapement, working at 4 Hz – 28,800 vibrations per hour.
We’re quite fond of the way Mr. Baumgartner has put it. Yet, this timepiece is quite a wonder and will be available starting with October 2012, at 137,000 CHF per unit.
[Perpetuelle]
