In an industry steeped in centuries of tradition, URWERK has carved out a defiant and dazzling niche. Founded in 1997 by watchmaker Felix Baumgartner and designer Martin Frei, URWERK challenges conventional notions of timekeeping with futuristic aesthetics, boundary-pushing mechanics, and an almost rebellious approach to haute horology. The brand’s creations are often likened to spaceships or UFOs — not merely for their looks, but for how radically they reinterpret the function and form of a wristwatch.
THE ORIGINS OF A RADICAL VISION
URWERK’s name is a fusion of “Ur,” the ancient Mesopotamian city where timekeeping is believed to have begun, and “werk,” the German word for “work” or “creation.” From the start, Baumgartner and Frei’s mission was clear: to create mechanical watches that were truly original — not just variations of past classics, but bold statements of futuristic design and horological ingenuity.
Unlike many luxury watchmakers rooted in tradition and heritage, URWERK draws its inspiration from science fiction, industrial design, and abstract art. Frei’s background as a multimedia artist gave the brand its distinctive visual identity, while Baumgartner’s horological expertise brought those visions to life.
SATELLITE TIME DISPLAY: A SIGNATURE INNOVATION
Perhaps the most iconic feature of URWERK watches is the satellite hour display — a time-indicating system that abandons traditional hands in favor of orbiting hour markers on rotating satellites. First introduced with the UR-103, this mechanism allows time to be read across a curved minute track, offering both technical innovation and visual drama.
This method is not just for show. It represents a new philosophy of time: dynamic, fluid, and always in motion — an experience more than a reading.
Subsequent models like the UR-210, UR-100, and UR-220 evolved the concept further, introducing retrograde minutes, orbital indicators, and even planetary references. These are not watches you glance at — they demand attention.
MATERIALS FROM ANOTHER GALAXY
URWERK pushes the envelope in terms of not just design, but materials. From titanium and ceramized aluminum to carbon fiber and plasma-treated steel, each timepiece is constructed like a precision instrument out of a sci-fi universe.
Their attention to materials serves more than aesthetic purposes — it’s about weight, durability, and how each component reacts to the passage of time. URWERK watches don’t just defy design norms; they often defy gravity, weight, and wea
THE COLLECTOR'S HOLY GRAIL
URWERK is not a mass-market brand. With limited production runs, each release becomes a collector’s obsession. The brand has captured the imagination of those who look for more than a logo — those who want story, art, and engineering at the edge of possibility.
Celebrities, avant-garde collectors, and high-end horology insiders often place URWERK at the top of their wish lists. Despite their extreme looks, URWERK watches retain Swiss watchmaking precision and are often nominated — and win — at prestigious events like the GPHG (Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève).
THE PHILOSOPHY OF TIME
For URWERK, time is not just linear — it’s emotional, spatial, and experiential. Martin Frei once said, “We design watches that we’d want to wear on a journey through space.” That encapsulates the URWERK spirit — not to mark time, but to travel through it.
Every creation reflects that ethos: a blend of art, engineering, and philosophy. It’s no coincidence that the brand’s most daring watches resemble spacecraft — time machines on your wrist.
URWERK is more than just a watch brand; it’s a vision of the future of horology. With its otherworldly aesthetics, avant-garde mechanics, and relentless innovation, it has redefined what it means to wear a luxury timepiece. For those who dare to be different — who see watches as expressions of identity, imagination, and innovation — URWERK is not just a choice; it’s a calling.
Learn more about URWERK and explore their collections here.
