The latest creation from URWERK is a celebration of time and culture, and introduces the first episode on an original idea of SJX. The new line of the 100V, dedicated to perceptions of time through the ages and cultures, has been named Time and Culture
URWERK co-founder Martin Frei explains that this line is about history, cultures, our place beneath the stars, the research and observations that have been conducted around the world using the same sky above our heads as a source of knowledge.
The first stop in the 100V Time and Culture line takes us to the lands of Central America, around the year 1479. The pediment of this timepiece features the motifs of the “Sun Stone”, one of the most emblematic works of Aztec art, now preserved in the National Anthropology Museum in Mexico City. This monolith is a sculpted disc approximately 3.6 metres in diameter – imposing and massive. This masterful work refers to the Aztec calendar, with the third circle representing the 20 days of the month, the fourth the 260 days of the year.
This is the pattern that is therefore repeated on the copper-coloured dome of the UR-100V Time and Culture I. The result is exquisitely delicate. The milling cutter used for the engraving has a 0.05 mm-thin point. The work must therefore be admired with a magnifying glass to appreciate its precision. The ridge lines of the motif are satin-brushed, while the hollows are micro-sandblasted to obtain a velvety finish, in order to highlight the volumes and honour this priceless heritage.
Beauty, history and mysticism are intertwined. The universal significance of this new URWERK is further reinforced by learning that the source of inspiration for this piece comes from Singapore. Su Jia Xian, better known by his acronym SJX, put forward an idea to Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei three years ago: adding an extra dimension to the UR-100 by closing the top just like on the first edition of the UR-103, creating something special that transcends space and time, literally and figuratively. The UR-100V Time and Culture I has thus gained a foothold in Central America.
This timepiece has several interpretative keys, starting with its obvious universal significance: it is inspired by the Aztec culture; it was made in Switzerland, based on an idea from Singapore; it will end up in the windows of a retailer whose nationality is not yet known, and it will appeal to an equally unknown watch lover. Yet it also conceals certain secrets. Felix Baumgartner, co-founder of URWERK, says that they have sprinkled this work with hidden references. The discerning eye will be able to make out a signature, an acronym, a Mayan numbering to be deciphered; and so, it is a real treasure hunt.
On this UR-100V from the Time and Culture line, a new piece of information is added to the hours and minutes display. Once the 60th minute has passed, the minutes hand disappears and reappears as a kilometre counter. It illustrates the 524.89 kilometres covered every 20 minutes by any person located in Mexico. This is the average speed of the Earth’s rotation calculated at Mexico City. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Earth’s revolution around the sun is displayed, i.e., 35,742 kilometres per 20 minutes. On the face of the UR-100V, hours and kilometres thus share the same status, the same scale of value. These units are lit up in incandescent blue when reading the hours.
The UR100V Time and Culture I houses the Calibre UR12.02 with automatic winding system regulated by the Winfänger system with its streamlined propeller. Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz, the calibre boasts a power reserve of 48 hours. This 20-piece limited edition has a steel bezel and titanium caseback.
