URWERK is 20 years old! To celebrate this anniversary URWERK has unveiled its new creation, the UR-105 CT Streamliner. This modern watch is inspired by the early years of the creators, Martin and Felix.
This watch echoes with the Art-Deco style, often seen in NYC architecture. The Streamliner has a minimalist design with few frills and clean lines, just like the Empire State, the Chrysler and the Comcast buildings. Its unique shape is a remarkable octagon with deep grooves along its length.
On top of the watch is a “hood” that can be opened to reveal even more of the innards – while when closed, this hinged upper case only reveals the essentials, meaning the display of the time. It’s a new wandering hour indication based on an open work carousel, which carries the four satellites, each bearing three numerals for the hours. The hours successively sweep past the minutes scale for an analogue and digital display of the time.
A power-reserve indicator and digital seconds make up the rest of the information displayed on the dial. The digital seconds are remarkable in that they indicate tens of seconds. The mechanism was made using a photolithographic process, with each marker openworked to make it as light as possible. It thus weighs less than a tenth of a gram.
Two pneumatic turbines on the back govern the self-winding rate, which can be set with a lever. In the FULL position, the slightest movement of the wrist is harnessed to rewind the barrel spring. Turn the lever to STOP to disengage the self-winding system and wind up the UR-105 using the crown. An intermediate position, RED (for reduced) engages the turbines to dampen the winding rotor and avoid overstressing the mainspring if you are particularly active.
The UR-105 CT Streamliner is available in two versions, both very URWERK: a full-grey titanium and mirror-polished steel version, only enlightened by one or two red accents, and a titanium and black PVD coated steel model with the usual bright yellow accents all around the dial. Price is CHF 65,000 ($68,700) for both versions.