Urban Jürgensen’s history begins in 1773 when the brand was originally established by a Danish clockmaker, Jürgen Jürgensen. His eldest son Urban traveled throughout Europe studying with Breguet, Berthoud, Houriet, and Arnold before taking over the family business in 1811 upon his father’s passing. The company remained in the hands of the Jürgensen family until 1912, with Urban’s sons expanding the company to Le Locle, Switzerland in addition to the company headquarters in Copenhagen. The mid-twentieth century was a time of upheaval for the brand, which produced their first wristwatch in 1919 after the First World War, and changed ownership numerous times.

The brand came back with a bang in the 1980s until the 1990s, following its acquisition by Peter Baumberger with his partner, the much-heralded English watchmaker Derek Pratt. The duo set out to rebuild the brand, committed to the original tenets of technical excellence, traditional aesthetics, and handmade master craftsmanship.

The first wristwatch model to be created was the Reference 1, first produced in 1982, though the brand was not officially launched until 1985.

Research shows that only 186 pieces were produced between 1982 and 1986, with a very small series of 15 pieces in platinum produced later in 2001. It notably features the automatic chronograph caliber 3019 PHC, based on the reliable Zenith El Primero, in this instance with triple date and moon phase.

Aesthetically, the present Reference 1 can be considered a pinnacle of elegance with a stepped case and tear drop lugs and a dial with satin outer track with Roman numerals, beautifully hand guilloché with different patterns for the subdials and the central section.

In overall excellent condition the present Reference 1 is not only a an incredibly beautiful and rare piece but it represents a period of time, when now-household names such as F.P. Journe or Daniel Roth were experimenting, producing their very first prototypes, pushing the boundaries of watchmaking and re-defining the meaning of watchmaking. Industry veterans will look back at this golden period of horology as the cradle of Independent Watchmaking, with doses of both pride and nostalgia.