Our Take

The creative masterminds behind Urwerk, Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei, are not prisoners to watchmaking history. Since the inception of the brand in 1997, Urwerk has broken from the constraints in both classical watch shapes, designs, and complications. The duo has found their own path, building a catalog of timepieces that stand on their own two feet in both technical watchmaking and aesthetics. Now, Urwerk returns with its latest edition to the catalog, an all-new timepiece – the UR-150 Scorpion.

An extra-exciting occasion, the UR-150 Scorpion presents a new movement, even more expansive wandering-minute satellite mechanism, and a new case design. This is a nontrivial evolution of Urwerk’s central design themes and a continuation of the brand’s admiration for menacing creatures. With a Hammerhead, Tarantula, Cobra in the catalog, Urwerk leverages the Scorpion for the design of its all-new wandering minute satellite complication. Doubling from the brand’s usual 120 degree to a 240 degree arc, this is the most ambitious retrograde undertaken by Felix and Martin. Like a scorpion, the wandering minute and jumping hour mechanism move to an extreme arch and then snap lightning fast, in this case, back to XX:00. The retrograde system was an impressive engineering feat, requiring a speed regulator on the UR-150’s flywheel. Usually applied to the chiming mechanism of minute repeaters, this speed regulator helps navigate the most intense inertia and speed in any Urwerk timepiece created so far in the brand’s history.

All of this is powered by caliber UR-50.01, we observe further improvement to the brand’s automatic winding system. Powered by dual turbines, both regulate the solid rotor’s speed as well as a more robust movement against shock. With fewer shocks to the rotor, the accumulation (and distribution) of energy remains consistent and minimizes the amount of seconds lost and gained everyday.

The UR-150 Scorpion takes a step forward for Urwerk’s case design. Martin Frei loves to juxtapose gentle curves with acute angles. We observe that on nearly every Urwerk timepiece. Here, this timepiece features an arched profile with the case and sapphire crystal maintaining the same line originating from the curve of the bracelet. The UR-150 Scorpion hugs the wrist ergonomically. The gentle contours and curvature of the case provide a softness to juxtapose the rapid, aggressive movement of the retrograde. This is a classic example of Urwerk striking a balance between the organic and inorganic, soft and hard, straight and curved. With every new release, we always bear witness to the further evolution of Urwerk. Another testament to the brand’s growth, both in watchmaking and design, the UR-150 Scorpion is a killer timepiece.

The Details

Technical specifications

Movement

• Calibre UR-50.01 with automatic winding system governed by a double turbine
• Jewels 38
• Frequency 28,800 vph - 4Hz
• Power reserve 43 hours
• Materials Aluminium satellite hours on a brass carousel; aluminium retrograde hand
• Circular graining, sandblasted, shot-blasting, circular satin finishing
• Chamfered screw hands
• Hours and minutes index incorporating Super-LumiNova® treatment

Indications: Satellite hours; minutes

Case:

• Material: Sandblasted and shot-blasted titanium and steel for the Titan version
• Sandblasted and shot-blasted titanium
• Anthracite PVD -treated steel for the Dark version
• Dimensions Width: 42.49mm x length: 52.31mm x thickness: 14.79mm

Glass: Sapphire crystal

Water resistance: Screw-lock crown. Pressure tested at 5ATM (50m)

Strap: KISKA rubber strap