ReviewHere Comes The Sun: Introducing The All-New Urwerk UR-100 Electrum
Expanding their UR-Satellite collection, Urwerk have introduced a brand-new limited edition—the UR-100 Electrum, which is crafted from a precious and, in some ways, ancient alloy, called electrum, with a twist
May We Recommend
Urwerk’s watches are capable of evoking emotions of both awe and shock. They are unconventional, truly original and hyper-creative even. Having ditched conventional two-hand or three-hand timekeeping, they come with futuristic displays that are reminiscent of spaceships and are a sight to behold. These timepieces are equipped with ultra-modern and forward-looking mechanical watchmaking technology, while exemplifying the Swiss brand’s unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation. Therefore, it’s not at all surprising to witness Urwerk—established in 1997—garner an ardent following of admirers in such a short period and become a formidable challenger to the horological giants who have been in the watchmaking business for centuries.
Part of the brand’s offerings is the UR-100, which was first introduced in 2019 and features the iconic wandering-hours complication. However, what makes it a superlative timekeeper and distinctive among Urwerk’s novelties are the astronomical indicators that track the Earth’s average rotation speed at the equator in 20 minutes and measure the distance the planet travels around the sun, also in 20 minutes—but more on this later. This year, Urwerk have pushed the boundaries of innovation even further, and unveiled a brand-new iteration of the UR-100 that’s crafted from an alloy of gold and palladium. It’s a reimagining of a naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver, called electrum, which was used in abundance by the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and other civilisations.
An Alluring Ancient Alloy
The use of electrum can be traced back to the third millennium BC in ancient Egypt, where it was utilised for coating the uppermost piece or pyramidion of the pyramids, and for making jewellery and drinking vessels. Harder and more durable than gold, electrum was also extensively used by the ancient Greeks for minting coins and currency as the techniques for refining gold weren’t widely available at the time. The alloy’s colour ranges from pale to bright yellow, depending on the proportions of gold and silver, and it was mainly sourced from Lydia—the peninsula of land that today constitutes the Asian portion of Turkey—where it was found in the area of the Pactolus River, a small tributary of the Hermus (modern Gediz Nehri, in Turkey).
In modern times, electrum has largely been forgotten apart from its use in making Nobel Prize medals that are crafted from artificial electrum, also called green gold, and coated with 24-karat gold. However, Urwerk have now put this ancient alloy back on the map, by way of a new interpretation, using it to build the case and crown of the all-new UR-100 iteration, but with a twist. Instead of going with the original composition, the brand have replaced silver with palladium, which is more stable with gold and provides superior corrosion and scratch resistance without compromising on looks. What’s more, the gold hue imparts a touch of luxury to the timepiece without coming off as extravagant, while it exudes subtle and sophisticated vibes. Overall, the UR-100 Electrum gives a new lease of life to this noble, luminous and flamboyant material that had gradually fallen into oblivion.
A Hypnotic Case Design
Apart from featuring the distinctive golden colour, the case of the watch comes with a pattern of concentric circles that’s visually arresting and reminiscent of ancient Greek amphitheatres. Talking about the design during the product launch presentation, Martin Frei, co-founder of Urwerk, said, “The case of the UR-100 Electrum is covered with grooves. Everyone can project their own universe into this design. I see the tiers of an ancient Greek theatre, the subtle pleats of an Iris van Herpen dress, a piece of raw earth hollowed out by the imprints of time, the seigaiha (wave pattern) motif of a traditional kimono. This creation is an invitation to embark on a temporal and sensory journey.” Moreover, the angular and compact case—measuring 41mm in width and 49.7mm in length—sits comfortably on the wrist, thanks to its thickness of just 14mm. Featuring the crown at the 12 o’clock position for easy handling, the timepiece is paired with a well-crafted, high-quality black leather strap that adds to the charm of the watch.
An Eccentric And Eye-Catching Display
At the centre of this golden arena, we have the signature space-time complications that can track and measure Earth’s travel through space. What happens here is when the minute hand completes its 60-minute journey, it disappears for a bit and then reappears on a 20-minute scale—located at 10 o’clock—of 555km, which is the distance one would travel in 20 minutes if one were to be standing on the Earth’s equator. On the opposite side—at two o’clock—there is another scale that measures the distance the planet travels around the sun in 20 minutes, which is about 35,740km. Meanwhile, the time is indicated via the now-famous wandering hours, on a rotating wheel that points to a minutes scale on the lower end of the display.
These features are powered by the in-house self-winding movement, the UR 12.01, which is made of anodised aluminium that’s sanded and shot-blasted. Running at a frequency of 28,800vph, the movement can store a power reserve of up to 48 hours and comes with a rotor that’s governed by the Windfänger mechanism, which keeps the rotor from reaching excessive speed, helping protect it from everyday wear and tear.
Redefining The Limits Of Modern Watchmaking
With the release of the UR-100 Electrum, Urwerk have once again showcased that there’s no lack of imagination in their timepieces. The clever use of an ancient alloy, the hypnotic case design, and the signature astronomical complications exhibit the brand’s avant-garde approach to modern watchmaking and their philosophy of breaking free from traditional restraints. However, the UR-100 Electrum isn’t just a technical marvel or a whimsical way of displaying time. There’s a deeper philosophical idea behind the watch. “A watch is both a physical and abstract reproduction of our situation on Earth,” says Frei. “It anchors us to a precise time and longitude, while at the same time, testifying to the fleeting nature of that very position.” Now isn’t that a fascinating thought!
Shop The Story
-
Urwerk Electrum
UR 100 Electrum
