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Urwerk Kryptonite

Uncategorized

In 1995, two creative minds met, Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei would then present their first wristwatch at Basel World circa 1997 signed Urwerk. The brand name originates from two sources, UR represents a town in Mesopotamia, which is believed to be the first place where our perception of time was folded. The latter part, Werk, means to work, created, evolve, shape, forge and arouse emotions in German. Urwerk’s proposition revolves around design, craftsmanship and haute horlogerie blending tradition with a futuristic vision that was rather bold at the time. 

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In 1995, two creative minds met, Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei would then present their first wristwatch at Basel World circa 1997 signed Urwerk. The brand name originates from two sources, UR represents a town in Mesopotamia, which is believed to be the first place where our perception of time was folded. The latter part, Werk, means to work, created, evolve, shape, forge and arouse emotions in German. Urwerk’s proposition revolves around design, craftsmanship and haute horlogerie blending tradition with a futuristic vision that was rather bold at the time. 

“If you have the passion, you have time” – Felix Baumgartner for The Hour Glass. 

Felix Baumgartner comes from a family of watchmakers and worked closely with his father on restoring some of the most historically significant clocks known, such as the Campani brother’ night clock. The wandering hours complications date back to 1655, upon the request of Pope Alexander VII, who was thought to have complained about the futile tick-tock sounds of the clocks in his sleeping quarters, a silent solution was ‘necessary’. The Campani brothers were approached by Cardinal Barberini and tasked with the ‘honour’ of solving this rather farcical dilemma. The Campani family was one of innovators and at the forefront of the renaissance era. In doing away with the verge escarpment, Pietro Tommaso Campani, invented the silent escapement, by using a pendulum that could turn continuously without interruption. It is believed that Felix was exposed to this very clock in his father’s atelier. Martin Frei’s background in industrial design brings a breath of fresh air to the traditional design process of a watch, as a result, Urwerk designs possesses a clear cut dynamic Avant-garde mystic. 

This Urwerk, UR-105 CT Kryptonite, was originally introduced in 2018 and represents a continuation of the CT Streamliner. As Martin Frei explains,

“the Streamliner has a minimalist design with few frills and clean lines. In the initial drawings, I thought of the Empire State, the Chrysler and the Comcast buildings. That is why it has that vertical structure that seems to go on forever.”

The Kryptonite offers a degree of discretion due to its matte AlTin (titanium) coated case and bonnet shaped latch.

Dial

The main aperture displays the hours, minutes, seconds and power reserve. The digital seconds display is found on the far left, the power reserve is found on the far right and the majority of the dial is composed of the openwork carousel system. The minute track is the only consistent part of the dial that remains unchanged throughout the power reserve. As the hour hand nears the 60-minute mark, the next satellite beings its journey on the minute track. At night the watch comes to life with its unique vibrant green lume. The dial also features a rather discrete engagement lever in the centre of the case, engaging this allows the user to explore the intricacies of the movement, similar to a bonnet on a car. 

Movement

The calibre UR 5.03 powers this particular reference, the movement features 52 jewels and beats at 4Hz. The satellite hours are driven by bronze beryllium Geneva crosses and an open-worked aluminium carousel. Two pneumatic turbines on the back govern the self-winding rate, which can be set with a lever. In the FULL position, the slightest movement of the wrist is harnessed to rewind the barrel spring. Turn the lever to STOP to disengage the self-winding system and wind up the UR-105 using the crown. An intermediate position, RED (for reduced) engages the turbines to dampen the winding rotor and avoid overstressing the mainspring if you are particularly active.

Brand: Urwerk
Model: UR-105 CT Kryptonite
Movement: K07-0
Case Diameter: Width 39.5mm; length: 53mm; thickness: 17.3mm
Box & Papers: Full Set 

Specs

In 1995, two creative minds met, Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei would then present their first wristwatch at Basel World circa 1997 signed Urwerk. The brand name originates from two sources, UR represents a town in Mesopotamia, which is believed to be the first place where our perception of time was folded. The latter part, Werk, means to work, created, evolve, shape, forge and arouse emotions in German. Urwerk’s proposition revolves around design, craftsmanship and haute horlogerie blending tradition with a futuristic vision that was rather bold at the time. 

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