Introducing Urwerk New Timepiece the UR-100V LightSpeed

Many of Urwerk's signature watches draw inspiration from science fiction and mythology. The result has always amazed us, from the UR-120 Space Black watch, which was inspired by the Star Trek movie, to the UR-100V Time and Culture 2 watch, which took us on a journey through time to the cradle of Mesopotamian civilization. Urwerk was not satisfied with all this creativity. In an era where science fiction intersects with reality, the company wanted to go beyond our airspace by unveiling their latest creation, “UR-100V Lightspeed.” Designed by Martin Frei, this piece embodies ambition, seamlessly merging time, space, and light into one entity. In addition to displaying the time in its own unique way, the UR-100V has something completely new added to the UR-100V, explains Martin Frey, Technical Director and Co-Founder of Urwerk: a 3D planetarium that displays eight celestial bodies from our solar system and acts as a reference point. Starting with the Sun, he traces the time it takes a ray of light to reach each planet, describing it as a journey through space and time, with light as the link.

Crafted with meticulous precision, the case of this timepiece boasts a high-tech composition of black carbon, comprising 54 layers of ThinPly, exuding both durability and aesthetic finesse. Its caseback, made from sand-blasted Grade 5 titanium and DLC-treated, enhances its robustness. Measuring at 41mm in width, 51.73mm in length, and 14.55mm in thickness, the watch strikes a harmonious balance between bold presence and ergonomic comfort. Its sapphire crystal glass ensures optimal clarity and scratch resistance, while its screw-down crown and water-tightness chamber guarantee water resistance up to 50m.

The UR-100V LightSpeed adopts the principle of displaying hours and minutes without traditional hands. Instead, the wandering hours, a satellite traverses along a graduated circle. The first satellite indicates the hours, while the second denotes the minutes. Once an hour satellite completes its 60-minute journey, the next hour-bearing satellite appears before the minute index.

In addition to this distinctive dial, the interstellar dimension is represented by the time it takes for a sunbeam to reach eight planets in our solar system, printed on the dial. This feature serves as a reminder of the vast distances and transient beauty of our solar system. The light we perceive today is a reflection of the past, a moment frozen in cosmic time. Within our space-time framework, the Sun's light reaches Mercury in 3.2 minutes, Venus in 6 minutes, Earth in 8.3 minutes, Mars in 12.6 minutes, Jupiter in 43.2 minutes, Saturn in 79.3 minutes, Uranus in 159.6 minutes, and Neptune in 4.1 hours. Such is the captivating essence embodied by the UR-100V LightSpeed.

At the core of this timepiece lies the self-winding UR 12.02 caliber, a feature shared with previous models in the UR 100 collection such as the UR-100V Stardust and UR-100V Time and Culture II. Guided by a Windfänger airscrew, this caliber regulates the movement's speed, operating on the principle of air resistance. As the airscrew rotates, it interacts with the surrounding air, creating a drag force that stabilizes and controls the oscillation rate of the movement.

This movement not only demonstrates technological prowess but also reliability. Equipped with 40 jewels, it operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, ensuring precise and smooth performance. With a power reserve of 48 hours, this movement seamlessly integrates innovation and functionality, exemplifying the craftsmanship and engineering excellence embodied by the timepiece. The remarkable rotor on the back of the timepiece is reminiscent of the Sun's rays, inspiring the overall design of the watch.

The watch comes with a red rubber strap with folding clasp made of titanium, priced at CHF 65,000 which is equivalent to 273,400 AED.

For more information, please visit the official Urwerk website.