URWERK, known for its avant-garde approach to watchmaking, has unveiled its latest creation: the UR-150 Scorpion. This is not just a watch; it’s a horological spectacle, a mechanical ballet of orbiting satellites and lightning-fast retrograde action, all contained within a beautifully sculpted case. The inspiration? The scorpion, with its swift and decisive strike.
The UR-150 (CHF 88,000) earns its “Scorpion” moniker from the dramatic trajectory of its retrograde minutes hand. Covering a 240-degree arc, it mimics the predatory stance of a scorpion’s tail, poised to strike. This symbolism is further amplified by the speed of the retrograde action – a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it jump that occurs in a mere hundredth of a second.
The watch features a large, openworked hand that frames the current hour. This hand gracefully sweeps across the minutes track, culminating in a dramatic reset at the 60-minute mark. As the hand reaches its destination, an URWERK spring unleashes the Scorpion’s “sting”: the retrograde hand executes its 240-degree leap, while the hour satellites simultaneously rotate 270 degrees, instantly presenting the next hour. 1 This complex choreography happens in the blink of an eye, a testament to URWERK’s mastery of micro-mechanics.
The retrograde mechanism itself is a marvel of engineering, reminiscent of those found in intricate mechanical automata. A flying carousel, carrying three hour satellites, follows a path dictated by a meticulously crafted cam. This cam orchestrates the carousel’s precise 60-minute journey. The emphasis on optimizing energy for perfect isochronism has led URWERK to create their most ambitious retrograde system to date, employing the largest weights ever used in their mechanisms and generating intense speed and inertia. To master these dynamic forces, a speed regulator, usually reserved for minute repeaters, is fitted to the UR-150’s flywheel, ensuring a smooth and controlled return of the retrograde hand.
The UR-150’s design extends beyond its intricate mechanics. The case and sapphire crystal flow seamlessly from the curve of the bracelet, creating an ergonomic profile that hugs the wrist. This curvature is mirrored in the movement itself, with the satellites and hour hand sharing the same sloping form.
The UR-150 will be available in two limited editions of 50 pieces each: the Titan, with a sandblasted and shot-blasted titanium and steel case, and the Dark, featuring a sandblasted and shot-blasted titanium case with anthracite PVD-treated steel accents. Both versions are powered by the automatic UR-50.01 calibre with a 43-hour power reserve and are presented on a comfortable KISKA rubber strap. The URWERK UR-150 Scorpion is a horological masterpiece, a captivating blend of mechanical complexity, striking design, and symbolic inspiration.
