Renowned for their avant-garde designs and innovative time displays, URWERK has consistently challenged traditional watchmaking norms. Their latest creation, the UR-101 T-Rex, is no exception. This timepiece resurrects the brand’s inaugural model with a prehistoric twist, blending history, innovation, and artistry into a singular wristwatch.
.png "URWERK UR-101 T-Rex Timepiece")
To appreciate the significance of the UR-101 T-Rex, it’s essential to journey back to 1997. That year marked the debut of URWERK’s first watches, the UR-101 and UR-102, at Baselworld. These models introduced the world to URWERK’s distinctive wandering hours display, inspired by a 17th-century clock crafted by the Campani brothers for Pope Alexander VII. The UR-101, with its asymmetrical case reminiscent of the Millennium Falcon, set the stage for the brand’s future innovations.
Fast forward to 2025, and URWERK has reimagined the UR-101 through the lens of their T-Rex design language. This metamorphosis is not merely aesthetic but embodies a fusion of form and function.
The UR-101 T-Rex features a 41mm diameter case, a modest increase from the original’s 38mm, with a thickness of 11.86mm. Crafted from hand-guillochéd bronze, the case exhibits a textured pattern reminiscent of dinosaur scales. This intricate engraving begins at the crown and extends across the case, culminating in a curved slope towards the back. The bronze undergoes oxidation and brushing, resulting in a rich brown hue that will develop a unique patina over time, ensuring each piece tells its own story.
The asymmetrical design is not merely for visual appeal; it enhances ergonomics. The curvature allows the watch to nestle comfortably on the wrist, positioning itself naturally between the wrist bones. This thoughtful design ensures that, despite its bold appearance, the UR-101 T-Rex offers a comfortable wearing experience.
Staying true to URWERK’s signature, the UR-101 T-Rex employs a wandering hours complication. Two satellites, each bearing six-hour numerals, traverse a 180-degree minute track. As the current hour numeral moves across the track, it indicates the minutes, creating a dynamic and intuitive time display. This mechanism is showcased beneath an arched sapphire crystal, with luminous numerals ensuring legibility in various lighting conditions.
Powering the UR-101 T-Rex is the UR-1.01V calibre, an automatic movement developed in collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture. This movement integrates URWERK’s in-house wandering hours module, a testament to the brand’s commitment to mechanical innovation. The movement offers a 48-hour power reserve, ensuring reliable performance for daily wear.
The UR-101 T-Rex is the third model to receive URWERK’s T-Rex treatment, following the UR-105 T-Rex in 2016 and the UR-100V T-Rex in 2021. This lineage underscores the brand’s dedication to evolving its designs while honoring its foundational models. The T-Rex editions exemplify URWERK’s ability to blend historical inspiration with contemporary craftsmanship.
Beyond its captivating aesthetics and mechanical prowess, the UR-101 T-Rex offers a tactile and engaging wearing experience. The bronze case, with its evolving patina, serves as a living material that reacts to its environment and the wearer’s habits. This dynamic quality ensures that each watch becomes uniquely personal over time.
The watch is paired with a black rubber strap featuring a textile effect and calfskin lining, providing both comfort and durability. The strap is secured with a black DLC-treated steel pin buckle, complementing the case’s rugged elegance.
The UR-101 T-Rex is a limited edition of 100 pieces, reflecting its exclusivity and the meticulous craftsmanship involved in its creation. Priced at CHF 38,000 (excluding taxes), it positions itself within the upper echelon of luxury timepieces, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate avant-garde design and horological innovation.
The URWERK UR-101 T-Rex stands as a testament to the brand’s relentless pursuit of innovation and its respect for horological history. By reimagining their inaugural model with a prehistoric twist, URWERK has created a timepiece that is both a nod to the past and a bold step into the future. For those seeking a watch that embodies mechanical ingenuity, artistic craftsmanship, and a unique narrative, the UR-101 T-Rex offers a compelling proposition.
[photo credits: URWERK / urwerk.com]
- De Bethune DW5 Al-Amal Timepiece
- H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine
.png "URWERK UR-101 T-Rex Timepiece")
A Glimpse into URWERK’s Origins
To appreciate the significance of the UR-101 T-Rex, it’s essential to journey back to 1997. That year marked the debut of URWERK’s first watches, the UR-101 and UR-102, at Baselworld. These models introduced the world to URWERK’s distinctive wandering hours display, inspired by a 17th-century clock crafted by the Campani brothers for Pope Alexander VII. The UR-101, with its asymmetrical case reminiscent of the Millennium Falcon, set the stage for the brand’s future innovations.
The T-Rex Transformation
Fast forward to 2025, and URWERK has reimagined the UR-101 through the lens of their T-Rex design language. This metamorphosis is not merely aesthetic but embodies a fusion of form and function.
Case and Design
The UR-101 T-Rex features a 41mm diameter case, a modest increase from the original’s 38mm, with a thickness of 11.86mm. Crafted from hand-guillochéd bronze, the case exhibits a textured pattern reminiscent of dinosaur scales. This intricate engraving begins at the crown and extends across the case, culminating in a curved slope towards the back. The bronze undergoes oxidation and brushing, resulting in a rich brown hue that will develop a unique patina over time, ensuring each piece tells its own story.
The asymmetrical design is not merely for visual appeal; it enhances ergonomics. The curvature allows the watch to nestle comfortably on the wrist, positioning itself naturally between the wrist bones. This thoughtful design ensures that, despite its bold appearance, the UR-101 T-Rex offers a comfortable wearing experience.
Time Display
Staying true to URWERK’s signature, the UR-101 T-Rex employs a wandering hours complication. Two satellites, each bearing six-hour numerals, traverse a 180-degree minute track. As the current hour numeral moves across the track, it indicates the minutes, creating a dynamic and intuitive time display. This mechanism is showcased beneath an arched sapphire crystal, with luminous numerals ensuring legibility in various lighting conditions.
Movement and Performance
Powering the UR-101 T-Rex is the UR-1.01V calibre, an automatic movement developed in collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture. This movement integrates URWERK’s in-house wandering hours module, a testament to the brand’s commitment to mechanical innovation. The movement offers a 48-hour power reserve, ensuring reliable performance for daily wear.
A Legacy of Innovation
The UR-101 T-Rex is the third model to receive URWERK’s T-Rex treatment, following the UR-105 T-Rex in 2016 and the UR-100V T-Rex in 2021. This lineage underscores the brand’s dedication to evolving its designs while honoring its foundational models. The T-Rex editions exemplify URWERK’s ability to blend historical inspiration with contemporary craftsmanship.
Wearing the UR-101 T-Rex
Beyond its captivating aesthetics and mechanical prowess, the UR-101 T-Rex offers a tactile and engaging wearing experience. The bronze case, with its evolving patina, serves as a living material that reacts to its environment and the wearer’s habits. This dynamic quality ensures that each watch becomes uniquely personal over time.
The watch is paired with a black rubber strap featuring a textile effect and calfskin lining, providing both comfort and durability. The strap is secured with a black DLC-treated steel pin buckle, complementing the case’s rugged elegance.
Limited Availability and Pricing
The UR-101 T-Rex is a limited edition of 100 pieces, reflecting its exclusivity and the meticulous craftsmanship involved in its creation. Priced at CHF 38,000 (excluding taxes), it positions itself within the upper echelon of luxury timepieces, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate avant-garde design and horological innovation.
Conclusion
The URWERK UR-101 T-Rex stands as a testament to the brand’s relentless pursuit of innovation and its respect for horological history. By reimagining their inaugural model with a prehistoric twist, URWERK has created a timepiece that is both a nod to the past and a bold step into the future. For those seeking a watch that embodies mechanical ingenuity, artistic craftsmanship, and a unique narrative, the UR-101 T-Rex offers a compelling proposition.
[photo credits: URWERK / urwerk.com]
You could also be interested in:
- URWERK EMC SR-71 Timepiece- De Bethune DW5 Al-Amal Timepiece
- H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Cylindrical Tourbillon Skeleton Alpine
Comments
Post a Comment