Founded in 1995 by watchmaker Felix Baumgartner and industrial designer Martin Frei, Urwerk’s watches are playfully futuristic, influenced by a passion for space travel and science fiction. Their first wristwatches were released in 1997 with the references UR 101 and 102 featuring a wandering hour time display. In 2008, the brand introduced the UR-202 that featured Urwerk’s innovative winding system using compressed air. The movement has two miniature pneumatic turbines coupled with a winding rotor, and depending on the wearer’s level of activity, the movement will self-adjust. The dynamic winding system spins freely during normal activity, reduces spin during more rigorous activity, and eliminates it entirely during extreme activity, exerting less wear on the movement and extending the overall lifespan.

The UR-110 collection was launched in 2011, continuing Urwerk’s commitment to radical time displays, using their orbital satellite complication. In 2011 the watch won the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve for Best Design Watch. The present UR-110PT is one of a very limited edition of 20 timepieces launched in 2013 outfitted with a platinum satin-finished bezel, satin-polished screws, and a sand-blasted titanium crown protector and main plate. Equipped with three hour-satellites that orbit around the asymmetric dial, the time is displayed on the right side of the watch. A control board with day/night indicator, a small seconds sub-dial, and an oil change indication that alerts the wearer of when a service is due is located underneath.

When launched, the UR-110 was an instant hit among watch enthusiasts. It presented a brilliant new take on the wandering hours complication, packaged inside an asymmetrical design. The present UR-110PT is a bold, avant-garde creation that has had an indelible impact in the Swiss watchmaking industry; this complete example is certain to delight any enthusiast of mechanical watchmaking.