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Introducing: The new Urwerk UR-105 ‘Raging Gold’

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The avant-garde brand’s new entry-level timepiece goes precious.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Urwerk is an avant-garde brand known for their edgy designs and execution of unconventional time displays. Their prolific use of the “wandering hours” style of display has it incorporated into the brand’s DNA.

Wandering Hours

When talking about wandering hours display, the Audemars Piguet Starwheel might come to mind. First introduced in 1991, it marked the return to mainstream of the wandering hours display, after it was first done four centuries ago.

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A spectacular Audemars Piguet Starwheel shot and owned by SWC member @OrangeDial17.

The idea of the wandering-hour display is credited to Pietro Tomasso Campani of Rome. It was first implemented in a night clock made for the Pope in 1683. Major European clockmakers then adopted the system, but it was not until around 1800 that wandering hours appeared in pocket-watches.

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The antique night clock featuring the wandering hour’s display. Now residing in the Member’s Room of The British Museum. (photo from Pendulantic)
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The dial of the nightclock (photo from Pendulantic)

Hats off to Urwerk for their fantastic modern interpretation of this time display method, adding on to the work of Pietro Tomasso Campani and taking it to the next level.

The Raging Gold

Urwerk describes their rendition of the wandering hours in the UR-105 as a rotating satellite system.

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The UR 5.02 calibre of the UR-105

The Raging Gold features the same UR5.02 calibre found in the other variants. Its distinguishing trait is the carved red gold shield (which acts as a bezel) bearing the “Clou de Paris” hobnail motif. The rest of the case is titanium with a PVD coat. It is the second UR-105 variant to feature a carved top shield, first being the T-Rex.

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Raging Gold on the wrist.

Time telling on Urwerk’s rotating satellite system is excellent, arguably as legible as a conventional 2 handed timepiece, at least in my opinion.

The UR-105 Raging Gold is a 22-piece limited edition and carries a retail price tag of 67,000 CHF.

Technical info:

MOVEMENT
Calibre: UR 5.02, selfwinding mechanism regulated by a double turbine
Jewels: 52
Frequency: 28,800v/h – 4Hz
Power reserve: 48 hours
Materials: Satellite hours turned by Geneva crosses in beryllium bronze. Orbiting structure in PEEK (PolyEtherEtherKetone). Carousel and baseplates in ARCAP.
Finishes: Circular and straight graining, sanding. Chamfered screw heads
Indications: Wandering hours, minutes. Hour numerals and minutes track handpainted in SuperLuminova

CASE
Materials: UR-105 case 4N gold and the back in titanium with black PVD coating
Dimensions: Width 39.50mm; length: 53mm; height: 16.8 mm
Glass: Sapphire crystal
Water resistance: Pressure tested to 30m/3ATM

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