Jay (Eire)
9112
The Future Vision
I had written a post at the weekend, when I took these pictures, but for some reason the post never showed up and I didn’t have a draft. I was, am, too lazy to rewrite it.
However the gist of that original post was regarding the vision of Urwerk and whether or not they’ve met that goal.
Back in 1997 their stated goal was blend tradition with a futuristic vision.
However with this stated goal much criticism of Urwerk over the years has been of the brand being a one trick pony (satellites, more satellites) and of the continued repackaging (same watch different metal, or case construction, take the 103 and it’s many iterations as the example). I think this is a little unfair.
For a small company with production levels in the 200 or so watches annually (note: that’s my recollection, if incorrect please correct me) and from what I’m aware no intention to deviate from these levels the output over the last 23 years has been pretty impressive; UR-101/102, UR-103, Opus V, UR-201, UR-CC1, UR-110, UR-1001, MB&F Collaboration, UR-210, EMC, UR-105, UR-106, UR-T8, AMC, UR-111, UR-100 and most recently UR-220.
There’s a lot of variety in the above list. And there’s no valid argument to dispute that all of these pieces imbed that original goal of advancing a futuristic vision for wristwatches.
And while the time telling display is similar across many of the above references (but not all) I don’t see how this is any different than any traditional brand (two or three hands, round case).
Further, changing case materials or small incremental design changes I think are a prudent means for a small company bringing new product to market (in an environment which we have today where to be relevant one seems to need to have something new annually or even more frequently).
Interested to hear the thoughts of others here, both positive and negative.
To the pictures, taken over the weekend.
More posts:
The Future Vision
I had written a post at the weekend, when I took these pictures, but for some reason the post never showed up and I didn’t have a draft. I was, am, too lazy to rewrite it. However the gist of that original post was regarding the vision of Urwerk and wheth...
I like the past and the near future, this is why I like 103.03, the others are for me too far ahead of how I envision my wrist wear in the future ;-)
But regardless the models, I welcomed and enjoy the satellites reading, it is in way innovative, different and fun. Like you say if they stay prudent they are steering the right way and who knows may be bringing yet another futuristic time reader. Any fee...
I do not have any first hand knowledge but from speaking to others and reading other posts here the feedback has always been positive.
The 103/105 family is for most of us the most wearable, the less “out there”. So I understand your comment.
I really like the brand and there creations old and new .
I think there very creative and inovatief, (time telling and designs) i own a 103 and love it . So cool to see it on the wrist . Not all there watches are on my wishlist but i hope to be able to add one or two more in the near future .
I think like you, in an ideal world another piece from Urwerk would be ideal.
I very much like the 110 also, and have had a few examples on the wrist.
Thanks Jay for an informed point of view — in fact a very useful one, as I feel this brand isn’t as well known as it would deserve to be (and I should also study it a bit more!)..
I was most surprised by the low production number that you set at 200...but as I searched for more info, several recent sources (including the FHH, Phillips, and Watchonista) mention an even lower figure...150! Whichever the correct number, I’m sure it’s ...
You may very well be right re 150.
That’s the number I recall from conversations a year or two ago. I was going high with my 200, which is still a very small number. I do think that even among our group familiarity with Urwerk would be pretty limited and for sure not many have had opportun...
I love the inovation although for me reading time is far more pleasurable on a traditional watch dial.....
And probably another concern for me these watches is that their size is far too large to be pleasing to look at. I realize this is a design choice as they could size them down if they wanted. But for me, the size negates any desire to own one.
Urwerk uses certain base calibers
While Urwerk is truly original when it comes to the satellite and rotating hands display, it would be useful to point out that they use base calibers from Zenith ( Elite caliber) and Girard Perregaux . If I recall right, the EMC was however a ground-up co...
Yes, a lot has been built on Elite. And it’s a point worth highlighting particularly in these price points. I don’t believe that detracts from these pieces however.
But for some I think this would be a material negative.
But both are great calibers
Both the Zenith and GP calibers are solidly constructed. In using them I think Urwerk has been able to focus on the enhancement and design without worries on the core movement quality. In fact MB&F has used the GP caliber in their HM2. It is a pity th...
Completely agree that Urwerk has a lot of variety and creativity, especially compared to most brands.
Some quick thoughts... Positives: I'm a big fan of the satellite displays and the overall military weapon look of most Urwerk's pieces. I think I've read before on this forum that their customer service is supposed to be top-notch, a big plus for me. Nega...
Competition in the same price bracket with arguably more elements which carry higher (non monetary) value for the average collector is a very valid point here.
It’s impossible to put this watch alongside an LM101, DB25 or RG’s Micro Rotor and talk about finishing I think. And forget it if we introduce some Lange pieces at a comparable (retail) price point. But as you allude to, that’s not what people are going f...
If that was their goal I would say they absolutely achieved it
A piece like one of my personal grails, the UR210 looks as fresh today as the day it was released... nothing stale really about any of their watches in my opinion, only that these days we are spoiled for choice and also that we expose ourselves 100s or 10...
Post got cut off due to dreaded Ampersand sign🤦♂️
... the same could be said for MB-AND-F. The truth is they know their strengths and do a wonderful job in making watches that enough people want to buy to keep the business and their vision moving forward. Give me a UR210 and a LM2 or 101 and I could easi...
I applaud Urwerk for...
showing the world that Swiss Watchmaking doesn't need to be backward-looking, entrenched in heritage and ages-old craftmanship. They remind us that watchmaking used to be all about innovating, for hundreds of years (except roughly the past 50 or so). And ...
*drool* What a nice watch and an awesome company with great employees!
This company and MB&F really get it! Create cool products. Take care of your customers.
Yikes! I guess I am!
I guess I'm a little hypocritical, I try to avoid fanboyism but it looks like I'm a total fanboy when it comes to Urwerk and MB&F. Ok, I'll turn the fanboyism down a bit! But seriously, what a cool watch! I know, I know, I'm supposed to turn it down a...
Shouldn't a futuristic vision include making watches less ungainly?
...it's a cool, innovative way to tell time, but it's also a more difficult way to tell time, and it's in a very large package that doesn't fit many wrists...
Time telling is pretty easy, maybe couldn’t be easier as you have the hour staring you in the face all the time. And that hour is pointing at the minute...
...my gripe with the time display is I find the minute track, numerals and the hour numerals should be a little crisper. In terms of size, I have a smaller than average wrist (6.25 inches) but the lack of lugs allows these watches to be wearable. While I ...
