Arms On: Urwerk UR-150 Scorpion

As Urwerk has matured as a mannequin, its merchandise have developed to become further wearable. The simply recently launched UR-150 Scorpion embodies this evolution. The UR-150 incorporates the acquainted Urwerk time present – nonetheless with a retrograde twist – nonetheless in a sleeker, curved case that hugs the wrist.

Preliminary concepts

The UR-150 continues the emphasis on wearability established by the compact UR-100. The UR-150 is bigger and bolder, nonetheless no matter its measurement, the curved case profile permits it to sit correctly on the wrist. This contrasts with plenty of Urwerk’s earlier fashions, which tended to have huge, flat case backs that had been a lot much less ergonomic.

The curved case moreover appears good, notably as a result of it continues the highway of the domed sapphire crystal. This design moderates the hyper-mechanical aesthetic of many Urwerk fashions, leaving the UR-150 considerably further elegant, albeit in a warfare machine-like method.

In some strategies, the UR-150 seems descended from the UR-100. It has an equivalent tonneau kind, nonetheless further streamlined. And it has the signature satellite tv for pc television for computer disc wandering hours, nonetheless enhanced with a retrograde minute hand (that’s little doubt borrowed from the UR-210/220/230).

The combo of the retrograde minutes with the satellite tv for pc television for computer disc present is notable for Urwerk as a result of the mannequin historically saved this time present on its simpler watches, whereas the top-of-the-line satellite tv for pc television for computer cube present was accompanied by the retrograde indicator. This leaves the UR-150 as one factor of a bridge between two distinct traces of the mannequin.

The in-between place of the UR-150 is underlined by the worth, which is in-between the UR-100 and UR-220. It’s priced fairly relative to completely different Urwerk fashions, nonetheless the added retrograde minutes will not be adequate of a distinction for the casual purchaser, who is likely to be best served by the entry-level UR-100.

Whereas the UR-150 is attention-grabbing intrinsically, it does create overlap and thus confusion inside the Urwerk model line. That’s one factor confronted by all watch producers that mature and develop their selections, nonetheless given the highly-technical nature of Urwerk’s creations, the overlap might diminish the enchantment of the higher-end fashions.

Tonneau spaceship

The UR-150 is mainly an extra-large tonneau-shaped watch. The case measures 42.49 mm by 52.3 1mm and stands 14.79 mm, so it is huge, nonetheless not crazily so by Urwerk necessities.

As is often the case with Urwerk, the case is in a mixture of metals, steel on the doorway and titanium for the once more. It is not too heavy (nonetheless nowhere near as lightweight as a result of the composite UR-230 Polaris), though I take into consideration an all-gold mannequin could be unwieldy.

The UR-150 makes its debut in two variations, Titan that is accomplished in darkish grey, and Darkish that is practically black. I need Titan as a result of the lighter shade reveals off the case particulars greater.

The UR-150 Titan is accented in inexperienced. Image – Urwerk

The shiny sort of the case models this apart from most Urwerk watches, and it moreover shows the tremendous advances that Urwerk has made with its case manufacturing strategies. The case is not going to be solely fantastically curved, however moreover sports activities actions particulars like bevelled edges (which could be milled in any case).

Similar to the UR-100, the UR-150 has a regular spherical dial. Nonetheless the time present beneath the extraordinarily domed crystal is one thing nonetheless typical. Three discs sort the wandering hours mechanism, whereas the minutes are indicated by a red-tipped retrograde hand.

Urwerk added a retrograde minutes to the satellite tv for pc television for computer cube present some 20 years previously, and the complication has been refined over time. Proper right here the retrograde scale is unusually huge, spanning practically 240 ranges, or about two-thirds of the dial circumference.

The dial is generously lumed. Image – Urwerk

Furthermore the aesthetic attention-grabbing of the huge minute scale, the mechanism is barely tougher to execute than a regular retrograde indicator with an acute angle scale so it’s a pleasing strong.

Every the retrograde hand and carousel that carries the discs are open labored to reveal the mechanics beneath. Although there are solely a handful of parts seen, there could also be nonetheless fairly a bit to see, reflecting the complexity of the hour-and-minute present. Amongst completely different points, the retrograde employs a spring to drive its motion and a flywheel to handle the tempo of the bounce.

“We’ve now designed a model new satellite tv for pc television for computer complication system… primarily based spherical a flying wheel and pinion positioned between the satellites and the underside movement… [that] deciphers and follows the ‘guiding thread’ of a cam,” explains Urwerk cofounder Felix Baumgartner, “This necessitated rising a spring so explicit that we wished to machine it in our private workshop. To make this burst of movement further seen, we now have doubled the usual distance between the 60 and 0 markers.”

The disassembled present module. Image – Urwerk

The view from the once more is difficult as correctly. The open once more reveals the automated winding mechanism with “twin mills”, primarily a pair of gears that regulate the tempo of the rotor to optimise winding, on the very least in thought. Whereas I am undecided if the mills genuinely enhance winding, they’re wonderful enhances for a watch like this.

Whereas I do like gildings identical to the mills which have some mechanical side to them, I want to forged off the purely stylistic add-ons. These embody the Urwerk model embossed on the lower correct nut of the case, and likewise the “set time” label engraved barely under the crown.

Key info and price

Urwerk UR-150 Scorpion

Case dimensions: 42.49 mm by 52.3 1mm
Prime: 14.79 mm
Supplies: Steel and titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: UR-50.01
Choices: Satellite tv for pc television for computer hours, minutes
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Winding: Automated
Power reserve: 43 hours

Strap: Rubber strap

Restricted model: 50 objects each for Titan and Darkish
Availability: Now at Urwerk retailers
Worth: CHF88,000 for Titan, CHF89,000 for Darkish (excluding taxes)

For further, go to Urwerk.com.

Once more to prime.