Geneva-based Urwerk looked back through history to the Middle Ages for inspiration in creating its latest model.
The company describes the titanium body of its new UR-105M as being ‘reinforced by steel armour’ and its instantly recognisable satellite dial layout as ‘conquering time in an eternal jousting tournament’.
The UR-105M sees an inner dial of four changing satellite hour markers glide clockwise along a 60-minute scale of minute across the bottom of the watch. As the hour change approaches the next hour marker moves into position at the beginning of the minute scale to begin the next 60 minutes.
A 42-hour power reserve indicator and running seconds dial are featured on the barrel of the case while indications for fine adjustment and service intervals (known as Oil Change) as well as a second power reserve display are displayed on the caseback.
Martin Frei, Urwerk’s co-founder and artistic director, explains: “The case of UR-105M was developed as an armor. The visible screws on the bezel not only bring a distinctive aesthetic to the watch, but also tack the steel armor onto its titanium body. This shield protects the movement, the heart of the watch, from the outside world’s aggressions. For me, the parallel with the chivalrous imagery is obvious. You have the power of the bezel-armor generating a feeling of invincibility.”
The UR-105M is available in two versions, the Iron Knight and the Dark Knight which features a black coated bezel.
