Remember the time when Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner dreamed up an innovative watch brand? This is how Urwerk was born, offering a new vision of fine watchmaking to the entire world, that started mesmerizing all of us back in 1995.
One of the most popular models of the Swiss brand has been the Urwerk Electro-Mechanical Control (EMC) model, a hybrid mechanical / electronic timekeeping marvel that was released in various iterations ever since. The most recent version, the EMC Time Hunter Stormtrooper, shows off a cool white ceramic receptacle, as if it was designed specifically for Stormtroopers.
As any Star Wars fan knows, Stormtroopers are the elite shock troops of the Galactic Empire, known for their white articulated armor and E-11 blaster rifles. Terrifying, supercool, and impressive to look at, these space soldiers seem to have a lot in common with the latest Urwerk design – or, vice-versa.
The Urwerk EMC Time Hunter joined Urwerk’s collection in 2013, boasting a mechanical manual-winding mechanism and an odd-looking gauge in the upper left-hand corner, allowing it to display information that only a watchmaker would normally have access to.
The Stormtrooper is the first time Urwerk watch to show off a white shade; the stainless steel 43-mm case, and its unique shape, was micro-bead-blasted and then given a white matte ceramic lacquer treatment – it feels like we’re staring into the eyes of the soldier, right? The asymmetrical dial is matte black, with clearly delimitated areas designed with specific functions in mind.
Please note the chequered hand-grenade pattern, as well as the power reserve indicator – is the 80-hour power reserve enough for you?
Urwerk has also printed the indications Seconds, Power, and EM-Control on the black screwed-down bezel, just in case you might need that. More interesting, a red LED light on the precision display will display green if everything is alright and will light up red if any of the indications are not within regulated parameters.
What else should we mention? The reverse side of this watch was made from grade 5 titanium, with a large window allowing a glimpse of the hybrid movement. Oh, and let’s not forget – there are only five Urwerk EMC Time Hunter Stormtrooper watches to go around, each retailing for exactly CHF 115,000.
