Founded in 1997 by Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner, Urwerk is one of the independent watchmaking industry's most prolific brands with a sense of watchmaking that fuses the traditional with futuristic design and a somewhat novel appreciation for the very concept of time. As such, Urwerk's timepieces are outside the ordinary in terms of their mechanical operation and aesthetic design.
One exemplary model is the UR-102, which debuted at Baselworld in 1997, marking one of Urwerk’s inaugural horological offerings. At the time, the UR-102 was unlike anything the watch world had ever seen. Its design, arguably ahead of its time, resonated with an aesthetic sensibility that seemed to emerge in popularity in the latter part of the early 2000s. Fast forward to 2023, Urwerk unveiled the UR-102 ‘Reloaded’ in a sleek black variant. Initially released as part of a collection of 25 box sets featuring alongside an identical counterpart in titanium, the version available today was later offered individually by Urwerk, limited to just 75 pieces (P.S. totalling 100 pieces for each variant).
Though I have a certain fondness for intricate and highly complicated designs in watchmaking, there's a certain cathartic quality to the pure, subdued and minimalistic aesthetic of the UR-102 ‘Reloaded’. Crafted with a contemporary pebble-shaped, titanium case, the UR-102 ‘Reloaded’ boasts newly designed angular lugs inspired by attachments from the old Sputnik satellite, specifically to enhance overall wearability. Additionally, the inclusion of a discreetly recessed crown at 4 o'clock cleverly conceals it from plain sight, which tastefully adds to the watch's sleek and uncluttered appearance.
Measuring 41mm, the UR-102's case surprisingly appears more compact than its dimensions would imply on paper. I believe this is achieved through the sandblasted, PVD-coated exterior of the case, which helps reduce some of the perceived visual bulkiness we tend to associate with such case sizes. While I haven't had the opportunity to strap on the watch due to its brand-new condition (rest assured, the strap is still unworn), my observation of how the case and its angular lugs comfortably sit on my wrist validates its well-balanced design and proportions. I do not doubt that the UR-102 ‘Reloaded’ will offer a delightful wearing experience, catering to wrists of varying sizes.
Like many of the brand’s later creations, the UR-102 ‘Reloaded’ features its signature wandering hours mechanism in the form of an arched minute scale located on the upper half of the case. If you look closer, you’ll notice a message script engraved on the satin-brushed disc detailing the UR-102's origin and history, as well as the distance the Earth has travelled around the Sun (23,500,000,000 km to be exact, up until its release in 2023) since the model's initial launch in 1997.
Powering the UR-102 ‘Reloaded’ and its wandering display from within is the Urwerk self-winding Cal. 2.02, which beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph and boasts a respectable 48-hour power reserve on a full wind.
The UR-102 ‘Reloaded’, in my opinion, ranks high among some of Urwerk's most intriguing horological offerings to date. Undoubtedly, it is a captivating piece of high-end independent horology that is bound to spark conversations among those who are in the know. More than just a modern reinterpretation of the original, the UR-102 ‘Reloaded’ is also a cool nod to Urwerk's watchmaking roots, as well as Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner’s origin story.
