Urwerk's latest UR-100V “LightSpeed” ceramic chronograph elevates timekeeping to a cosmic scale.
In the hands of Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frey (aka URWERK), time is never as simple as it appears. Instead, it is challenged in every way…whether in its passage, its narrative, or as a vague metaphysical concept.
Starting with the UR-101 and UR-102, which introduced rotating satellite hour indicators that follow a fixed minute track despite being disguised within a traditional round watch, the UR-103.03 subverts this concept, showcasing the complex workings of this wandering hour display. URWERK continues to push the boundaries of time and its expression.
Meanwhile, the UR-210 combines three-dimensional satellite hands with a retrograde minute hand. The EMC (Electromechanical Control) watch, launched in 2013, features an electronic oscillator that adjusts the balance wheel. In short, it's a never-ending, relentless journey of time exploration.
The latest UR-100V continues this exploration, truly venturing into the cosmos. First released in 2019, the UR-100 “SpaceTime,” at only 14mm thick, is one of URWERK's thinnest and perhaps most ergonomic watches, making it one of their best-selling timepieces. While earlier models in the series featured URWERK's signature satellite-shaped hour and minute hands, this timepiece innovates upon them. The left indicator shows the Earth's rotational distance along the equator, approximately 555 kilometers every 20 minutes. The corresponding indicator on the right shows the Earth's orbital distance around the sun, approximately 35,740 kilometers every 20 minutes.
Admittedly, these numbers have almost no practical value in daily life, but we appreciate them because they make us think about space, time, and the meaning of life—in these vast numbers, we gently become aware of our place in the world.
The UR-100V “LightSpeed” watch, launched by URWERK in 2023, takes this perspective to its extreme. It abandons the dual hands and orbital distance markers, instead displaying at a glance the time it takes for light to travel from the sun to each planet in the solar system. Unlike previous watches that measured distances with hands, this watch displays the planets on the dial at a fixed scale, indicating the distance photons need to travel from the sun to these planets. Each position corresponds to the time it takes for light to travel from the sun to that planet, calculated mathematically.
For example, Mercury, the messenger of the gods, is only 3.2 minutes away from us, equivalent to a beam of sunlight. Earth is slightly farther away, taking 8.3 minutes. Neptune, located in the dark region at the edge of the solar system, takes 4.1 hours to reach us.
Is it practical? No—except perhaps for space cowboys. But does it possess a cosmic mystique, a romantic allure, and all the beautiful words that imbue mechanical watches with their captivating charm? We think so.
Like URWERK's standard satellite display, time is read via hour hand satellites sweeping across a curved area beneath the dial, displaying a 120-degree minute track. Each satellite features four Super-LumiNova luminous numerals, sweeping across the minute track every 60 minutes. When it reaches the end of the track, it is replaced by another satellite at the beginning. Your current time is determined by reading the numbers on the satellite aligned with the minute track. Once a satellite leaves the minute track, it enters the "cosmic" area.
Chief watchmaker and co-founder Felix Baumgartner cites a childhood story that may resonate with many. “When the light from a distant star reaches us, that star may have already gone out. What we see is no longer there, nor is it the present moment—it is merely a memory.” The planetary system diagram depicted on the UR-100V “LightSpeed” watch powerfully illustrates this fact, albeit in a slightly unconventional and avant-garde manner.
A Material Transformation This year's UR-100V “LightSpeed,” the second model in the series, features an upgraded white ceramic material, creating a striking visual contrast with the dial and giving the watch a radiant shine. In addition to the color change, the case also utilizes URWERK's newly developed ceramic composite material. This polymer matrix, incorporating ceramic fibers, glass fibers, and carbon fibers, significantly enhances shock resistance and durability.
Baumgartner explained, “The extremely high hardness of traditional ceramics is also their weakness, as they are inherently brittle. During high-temperature sintering, they break under severe impact. We wanted to overcome this limitation, so we developed our own material. Because it contains glass fiber and carbon fiber, our new ceramic composite material does not break.”
Just as a timepiece symbolizing the passage of light should possess, the white on the UR-100V “Speed of Light” ceramic dial exhibits a unique texture and, as you would expect, displays a matte or soft fluorescent effect depending on the ambient light. Frey points out, “In the realm of materials, white originates from surfaces capable of reflecting and scattering most incident light. There is no absolute white: it changes with light and contrast. Therefore, white is not a substance, but a state of light.”
URWERK continues its exploration of the universe, employing a black PVD-treated aluminum rotor to depict the sun in a refined abstract way, complemented by a sandblasted, shot-peened, DLC-treated Grade 5 titanium case back.
Below, the automatic UR 12.02 operates at a steady 4Hz frequency, regulated by URWERK's renowned Windfänger system, marked by the hexagonal gears on the rotor. The Windfänger system is essentially a miniature air-resistance turbine that helps regulate the windings, thus stabilizing the satellite system.
The double barrels provide a satisfactory 48-hour power reserve. While traditional finishing techniques may not be the primary consideration here, we appreciate the noticeable attention to detail, such as the perlage, satin finish, and chamfered screw heads.
Movement: UR 12.02 automatic movement with Windfänger propeller regulation; 48-hour power reserve.
Functions: Satellite hour and minute display; time taken for the sun's rays to reach the eight planets of the solar system.
Case: 43 mm × 51.73 mm × 14.55 mm; white ceramic case with silvered glass fiber fabric and carbon fiber inserts; titanium inner case; grade 5 titanium case back with sandblasting and DLC treatment; water resistant to 50 meters.
Dial: Sapphire crystal glass with three-dimensional display of the movement. Strap: Textured rubber
Strap (black or white optional) with folding clasp.
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