Urwerk: history, models and value

Founded

1997

Founder(s)

Felix Baumgartner, Martin Frei, Thomas Baumgartner

Headquarters

Geneva

Urwerk: origins and founding

Urwerk was founded in 1997 by watchmaker Felix Baumgartner, his brother Thomas Baumgartner and the artist and designer Martin Frei. The brand showed its first watches in April 1997 at the booth of the AHCI, the association of independent watchmakers, at Baselworld. In 1998 Felix moved into the first Urwerk workshop on rue de Cornavin in Geneva.

The name joins Ur, the ancient Mesopotamian city, with the German word Werk, which means "work" and also the movement of a watch.

Founders and family

Felix Baumgartner comes from a watchmaking family in Schaffhausen and is the third generation in the trade. Martin Frei studied art in Lucerne and is responsible for the design. Thomas Baumgartner left the company in 2004 to pursue his own projects.

Urwerk history and milestones

• 1997: UR-101 and UR-102 presented, with wandering hours across the top of a round case.
• 2003: UR-103 launched, the first Urwerk with the satellite hour display.
• 2005: Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei worked on the Harry Winston Opus V.
• 2007/2008: UR-202 "Hammerhead" with telescopic minute hands.
• 2011: UR-1001 "Zeit Device", the brand's first pocket watch.
• 2013: EMC (Electro-Mechanical Control), a mechanical watch that can check its own accuracy.

Famous Urwerk models

• UR-103: the watch that defined the brand. Four rotating satellites carry the hour numerals and travel along a minute track.
• UR-202: telescopic minute hands and an automatic winding system regulated by twin turbines that the wearer can adjust.
• UR-CC1 "King Cobra": linear, cylinder-based display of hours and retrograde minutes.
• UR-105 CT "Streamliner" and UR-T8 "Transformer" (2017).

Movements and technique

Urwerk's speciality is how time is shown, not with hands but with moving modules. The wandering hour idea was inspired by a 17th-century clock by the Campani brothers. The satellite system is far heavier than ordinary hands, so it needs careful engineering. Movements carry Urwerk calibre names such as the UR 5.03 in the UR-105 CT.

Urwerk today

Urwerk is based in Geneva and is closely tied to its co-founders Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei. It makes watches in small numbers and sits firmly in the independent, high-end segment.

Urwerk prices on the pre-owned market

Because production is small, pre-owned Urwerks are rare and are often sold through specialist dealers and auctions. Early pieces with low case numbers, especially the original UR-103 series, interest collectors most. As an example, Phillips sold a UR-103 in pink gold and titanium, case no. 5, for CHF 23,750 at its Geneva Watch Auction X in November 2019. Complete sets with box and papers, a recent service by Urwerk and an unpolished case help value. These are complex watches, so missing service history can reduce interest.

How to recognise a genuine Urwerk

Genuine Urwerks are signed on the case, dial and movement, and each piece carries an individual case number. Check that the satellite or wandering hour display moves smoothly and that the reference matches the model. Ask for the original certificate and box, and if in doubt contact the brand. Our guide explains how to spot a fake watch.

What is your Urwerk worth?

Send a few clear photos of the dial, case and caseback and get a free watch value estimate. For insurance, an estate or a sale, you can order a written watch appraisal.

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