URWERK UR-100V Time & Culture III
Avant-garde mechanics meets ancient sacred art
URWERK is once again making history with its latest creation, the UR-100V Time & Culture III. The third in a series that explores how different civilizations perceive and record the passage of time. Going beyond the inspirations of its predecessors who looked to Mesopotamia and Native Americans, Urwerk now looks to Georgia’s rich spiritual and artistic heritage to create a watch that blends avant-garde mechanics with ancient sacred art.
URWERK Founded in 1997 with a philosophy of radical innovation, the vision of its co-founders, Master Watchmaker Felix Baumgartner and Artistic Director Martin Frei, is shared. Their goal is not only to improve or reinterpret existing horological complications, but to forge new paths in the field of time display. They consciously look beyond the traditional limitations of watchmaking to draw inspiration from the wider world of culture and art. This approach has made URWERK a leading brand in independent watchmaking, a realm where creative freedom and mechanical genius merge.
This obsession with originality is reflected in every piece that leaves the factory. With a limited production of approximately 150 pieces per year, URWERK is a true artisan workshop. Here, futuristic design concepts are realized through meticulous hand-finishing and the application of advanced materials. This craftsmanship ensures that each watch is not only a complex timekeeping instrument, but also a unique mechanical sculpture that meets the highest standards of haute horlogerie while challenging its conventions.
The brand name itself embodies its spirit. The first part of URWERK, "Ur", refers to the ancient Sumerian city of Ur in Mesopotamia. Around 6,000 years ago, people first established the basic principles of timekeeping by observing the shadow of the sun. "Ur" also means "origin" or "beginning" in German. The second part, "werk", is a German verb meaning to work, create and innovate. The URWERK name refers to the brand's commitment to creating new pieces rooted in the origins of timekeeping, and to paying homage to the generations of watchmakers who laid the foundations of this craft.
The "Time & Culture" collection is a direct reflection of this philosophy. It is a horological journey, a series of reflections on the many ways in which humans explore the measurement and understanding of time. Each watch in the collection is a dialogue between URWERK's contemporary mechanical language and a specific cultural symbology. The UR-100V Time & Culture III continues this exploration, taking viewers deep into the heart of Georgian Orthodox tradition, an area where faith, history and art are inseparable.
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At the heart of this new creation is an extraordinary artistic collaboration with David Kakabadze's studio in Tbilisi, Georgia. The resulting watch is an extraordinary masterpiece, showcasing a level of craftsmanship rarely seen in modern watchmaking. The UR-100V's dome is breathtakingly decorated with 24K cloisonné enamel and miniature painting, a complex process that took a whopping 1,152 days to complete. This meticulous process, involving nineteen different colours of enamel and sixteen separate firings in a kiln at 750°C, demonstrates the skill and patience of the craftsmen at Kakabadze’s studio.
The visual effect of this watch is stunning. Crafted from warm and lustrous 2N 18K gold, the case features a distinctive octagonal shape that has become a signature feature of URWERK design. It provides a rich, solid frame for the spectacle that unfolds beneath the striking sapphire crystal dome. The deep blue Alcantara and leather straps contrast sharply with the sheen of the gold, creating a composition that is both bold and harmonious.
The real focal point, however, is the intricate artwork that covers the dome. The design is inspired by a fragment of the Zodiac fresco from the Cathedral of St. Svetitskhoveli, a cornerstone of Georgia’s cultural and religious heritage, and is a miniature icon. Rendered in vivid red and blue, the figure of Christ holds a book and makes a gesture of blessing. The figure is surrounded by twelve celestial symbols, each meticulously painted in an ornate cartouche. These symbols represent the twelve time periods that govern the celestial and liturgical calendars: the twelve months of the year, the twelve hours on the dial, and the twelve signs of the zodiac.
The artwork is inspired by a story that is deeply woven into Georgian identity. It begins with a man named Elias who, according to legend, witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus and brought his holy robe back to his homeland in Georgia. Upon his return, his sister Sidonia touched the robe, became overwhelmed, and died instantly, clutching it in her hands. Unable to part with the robe, she was buried in the cemetery. From her grave grew a towering cedar tree, which was later felled to build the first church in Georgia. This story gives the watch a deep sense of history and spirituality.
The UR-100V Time & Culture III is thus a horological manifesto that brings together modern mechanical technology in dialogue with ancient beliefs and traditions. Like a container of memory, a “time capsule” as its creators put it, the mechanical ticking of the second hand becomes a brilliant echo that spans millennia. Every time you gaze at the dial, you can’t help but think about the current hour and the deep cultural and spiritual context that shapes our understanding of time.
Beneath this gorgeous artistic dial, the beating heart of the watch: the self-winding UR 12.02 movement. This movement showcases URWERK’s exquisite craftsmanship, featuring its signature satellite hour display system. In place of traditional hands, three satellite hands rotate around the central rotating disk, each with four hour numerals engraved on it. When one satellite completes a 60-minute orbit along the arched track at the bottom of the dial, the next satellite swings seamlessly into place to indicate the next hour.
This complex mechanism is controlled by the Wind Eagle propeller, a specialized component that regulates the efficiency of the automatic winding system and protects it from excessive wear or shock. The movement itself is a paragon of advanced materials, with the satellite hour discs made of aluminium and mounted on a beryllium bronze Geneva cross. The rotating disc and triple baseplate are made of ARCAP, a non-magnetic and corrosion-resistant alloy favoured by high-end watchmaking for its stability and durability.
The UR 12.02 movement is finished to the highest standards, with a variety of processes applied to its components. Circular satin-brushed, sandblasted, shot-peened and circular-grained surfaces create a visually complex and sophisticated look. The screw heads are mirror-polished, while the hour and minute indications are hand-painted with Super-LumiNova for legibility in low-light conditions. The movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and offers a reliable power reserve of 48 hours.
The case construction is robust and the craftsmanship is exquisite. The 18K gold case is 41mm wide, 49.70mm long and 14mm thick, and it is worn on the wrist with a confident temperament. The complex geometric shape of the octagon has been carefully crafted, with smooth lines and dynamic curves, reflecting the dazzling light. The entire assembly is protected by a custom arched sapphire crystal mirror, which allows the dial and hour markers to be displayed at a glance. The watch has been pressure-tested to 3ATM, equivalent to 30 meters of water resistance, suitable for daily splash-proofing.
The choice of strap material complements the overall design. The combination of soft leather and Alcantara high-tech fabric in a dark blue tone is both comfortable and modern. The strap is matched with a pin buckle also made of 2N 18K gold to ensure a harmonious overall look and texture. From the case structure to the strap, every detail has been carefully considered to create a unified and eye-catching overall shape.
The collaboration with Kakabadze Studio is the core feature of this watch. It exemplifies the intersection of two different worlds of craftsmanship: the high-tech precision of independent Swiss watchmaking, and the centuries-old heritage of Georgian enamel craftsmanship. The dial took 1,152 days to create, a powerful statistic that highlights the human element and dedication involved, in stark contrast to the mass production ethos of much of the modern world.
This watch is truly one-of-a-kind, a “one-of-a-kind masterpiece”. It is absolutely unique and one-of-a-kind. This elevates it from a luxury item to a true work of art, a collector’s item of the highest order. It is a blend of unique vision, exquisite craftsmanship and exquisite storytelling that cannot be replicated.
As is customary with such exquisite and rare timepieces, the URWERK UR-100V Time & Culture III is available only on request. This practice acknowledges that its value lies not only in its materials and mechanics, but also in its unique artistic and cultural significance. This watch is for the discerning collector who appreciates not only the cutting-edge innovations of watchmaking, but also the profound and enduring power of human history and faith.
Case: 2N 18K yellow gold. Dimensions: 41mm wide, 49.70mm long, 14mm thick. Sapphire crystal. Water-resistant to 3ATM (30 meters).
Movement: Self-winding Caliber UR 12.02, driven by a Windfänger propeller. 40 jewels, 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 48-hour power reserve. Aluminum disc and satellite hours on a beryllium bronze Geneva cross.
Dial: Displays satellite hours and minutes. Dome in 24K gold with cloisonné enamel and miniature painting. Hour and minute indications in Super-LumiNova.
Strap: Blue Alcantara and leather with 2N 18K yellow gold pin buckle.