Industry-renowned craftsmen collaborate for the URWERK EMC Pistol

A result of an exceptional alliance among the top craftsmen in the modern watchmaking industry, the Pistol, the latest version of the award-winning EMC watch by URWERK is an unparalleled example of a mechanical timekeeping device with a remarkable digital accuracy that allows the wearer a glimpse at the accuracy of the watch at any given time simply by pressing a button

The “Electro Mechanic Control” or EMC is a milestone that brought URWERK to watchmaking height since its birth. The originality and ingenuity of the EMC concept have been widely acclaimed. The 2014 Geneva Grand Prix d’Horlogerie awarded the EMC two first prizes in the “exceptional mechanism” and the “innovation” categories, while the watch earned Felix Baumgartner the title of Watchmaker of the Year in Hong Kong. Just as important for the URWERK team are the plaudits received for the EMC from Mr Philippe Dufour, the recognised virtuoso of high-grade watchmaking.

This year, the Swiss watch company continues the EMC saga with the Pistol which was born out of the alliance of the leading industry craftsmen and most skilled hands that provided sheer excellence to this 5-piece limited edition. Florian Güllert was responsible for the engraving, Joséphine and Sylviane took care of the leather work for the strap while URWERK’s artistic director, Martin Frei, and master-watchmaker, Felix Baumgartner, have generously given their best to create this watch.

The EMC, a mechanical watch

The EMC has the aspect of a control panel with four separate dials. Prominent is the seconds dial at 2 o'clock. This is one of the key elements of the EMC that serves as the benchmark of its rate and accuracy. To its left at 10 o'clock, the rate is indicated in seconds a day. Below, at 8 o'clock is the 80-hour power-reserve indicator. The hours and minutes are shown conventionally by hands at 5 o'clock — a new departure for URWERK. The EMC’s movement can be seen at the back through a sapphire-crystal glass.

The movement was designed, developed and made in URWERK’s workshops. It was rated in Geneva and complies with the most stringent quality standards. The movement was tested in five positions over a 30-day cycle to meet the highest standards of a precision watch. Its proven intrinsic qualities rest on the following features:

The balance was made from ARCAP, a nickel alloy chosen by URWERK for its anti-magnetic and non-corrosive properties. The originality of this balance is apparent at a glance. Its linear structure was precisely calculated to make it aerodynamic and reduce air friction. This enables it to retain the optimal amplitude. 

Its power source takes the shape of two mainspring barrels mounted in series on the same arbor. The double barrel ensures a stable and linear power supply while providing 80 hours or running time.

A screw to change the rate accessible on the outside of the watch enables a precise adjustment of the fast/slow index that alters the effective length of the balance spring.

The EMC, a really smart watch

An electronic device had to be perfected to monitor the EMC’s mechanical movement. The EMC’s brain thus consists of: (1) An optical sensor works with the balance wheel. The sensor consists of a light source and a receiver on either side of the balance. Its job is to record the oscillations of the 28,800v/h balance (4Hz) over a period of three seconds. The measurement is initiated manually by pressing a start button; (2) An electronic oscillator at 16 million Hz – this is the EMC’s reference device. The performance of the 4Hz mechanical balance is compared with the extremely high frequency of this oscillator to obtain the most precise measurement possible; (3) An Artificial intelligence – this computer can determine the difference (denoted by δ) between the rate of the movement and that of the reference oscillator. Each microsecond of difference between them is expressed as a gain or loss of one second a day of the mechanical movement. Thus a variation of 0.0000014 seconds between each oscillation translates into a variation of a second a day; and (4) A hand-wound generator – the EMC’s monitoring device (the optical sensor and calculator) derives its energy from a micro-rotor made by the Maxon company, a Swiss firm known for having developed the motor of the Pathfinder module for NASA’s Mars mission.

The EMC, an interactive watch

The EMC’s principle rests of a three-fold objective: to show the effect of outside influences (motion, temperature and pressure) on the balance and spring; to compensate for these influences at source, and to promote an interaction between the watch and its owner.

The URWERK EMC Pistol flaunts a 43mm case that is pressure tested to 30 metres. Its power is the in-house made movement, the URWERK’s Calibre UR-EMC, with excellent finishing that includes the Geneva stripes, snailing, shot-blasting, brushing and chamfered screw heads. The limited edition timepiece finishes off its outstanding appearance with an engraving by Florian Güllert and a Nile crocodile strap.