URWERK explores femininity with UR-106 “Lotus”

To break away from its masculine image, the independent watch brand URWERK finally unveils a collection of elegant and feminine timepieces: The UR-106 “Lotus”

Known for creating the world’s rare, technically advanced and elaborately complex watches, URWERK has embarked on a journey to bringing its brand a different perception. Since developing timepieces for women is considered a perilous undertaking, the decision has been a challenge to the company as explained by Martin Frei, URWERK’s chief designer and co-founder. Furthermore, master watchmaker Felix Baumgartner, the brand’s other co-founder, has admitted that the move was scary despite the company’s notable achievements in making complicated watches, solving some tough technical problems, putting huge hands into motion and going to the limits of micro technology.

But, the remarkable journey would not have started if the first step was not taken, and so after successfully managing the risks and challenges, the Swiss watch brand enters the feminine market this year with the UR-106 “Lotus”, a collection of clean and elegant ladies’ watches. Inspired by the lotus flower, which according to Martin Frei was a representation of the beauty of women despite the complexities, the vision alludes to glittering gemstones and soft, slender curves.

The UR-106 “Lotus” features the brand’s signature satellite hours in a guise never before seen:  A revised version of the satellite hours. Three satellite hours wander across the dial to create the most graphic of horological blooms. These three satellites, each with four hour numerals, sweep along the minutes scale in an analogue and digital indication of time.

This URWERK model has two versions: One is in titanium and steel with diamonds on the bezel, crown and buckle while the other one is in black PVC-coated titanium and steel set with black diamonds. Commenting on the idea behind the tangible duality of the UR-106 “Lotus”, Martin Frei says, “We confronted the two aspects of the same watch — light on one hand and darkness on the other”.

The two versions are available in limited edition with 11 pieces only for each version. Powered by a self-winding calibre UR 6.01, with power reserve of up to 48 hours and water resistance to 30 metres, the UR-106 “Lotus” flaunts a moonphase in the display and a huge dimension of 35mm width, 49.4mm length and 14.45mm height.

In further describing the model, Felix Baumgartner states as he concludes, “We have taken particular care over the slightest details of this UR-106. It has taken us 18 years to perfect this concept, so we are making no concessions. The satellites as well as the carrousel in titanium peened and brushed by hand Serrated minutes scale have been meticulously satin-finished by hand, and we have painstakingly painted each numeral for the hours and minutes. The extremely fine minutes scale was fashioned in our workshops, the lapis lazuli blue of the moon was selected from hundreds of other colours, while the outline of the lotus on the back of the watch follows Martin’s design exactly. The UR-106 Lotus is just as we imagined it”.