Urwerk, founded in 1997 by watchmaker Felix Baumgartner and designer Martin Frei, set out to break traditional watchmaking norms. Drawing inspiration from 17th-century planetary clocks and avant-garde engineering, they redefined timekeeping with satellite displays and orbital complications. Their debut, the UR-101, introduced a wandering-hour system, laying the foundation for future innovations.
With models like the UR-103, released in 2003, Urwerk gained global recognition, blending mechanical mastery with futuristic aesthetics. The brand continued to push boundaries with designs like the UR-210, featuring a retrograde minute hand and winding efficiency indicator, and the UR-100, incorporating astronomical time measurements. Embracing sci-fi-inspired design and precision engineering, Urwerk remains one of haute horlogerie’s most daring independent brands, constantly redefining the art of timekeeping.