Urwerk goes back to the future with a reloaded version of their very first watch – the UR-102. Now reloaded with the collaboration with Cooper Jacoby. The watch will be auctioned to benefit the Swiss Institute of Contemporary Art in New York by Phillips.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Urwerk UR-102 Reloaded – one of a kind watch
To be auctioned on December 10 by Phillips.
Commentary
In an interesting new release, Urwerk announces a piece unique of one of the most desirable pieces they have ever made – their very first watch. The Urwerk UR-102. This is a minimalist design by Martin Frei way back a quarter century ago.
It is interesting how the collaboration with American artist Cooper Jacoby manages to preserve the minimalistic nature of the watch, yet injecting a signature of his own.
The use of thermal pigments which respond to temperature changes of the body to appear as colours under the wandering hours dial is a stroke of genius.
Release details
“It represents the starting point for URWERK. The one that kicked it all off. It is celebrating its 25th birthday this year, just as URWERK itself is toasting its quarter-century of existence”, said Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei. It stems from their very first collaboration, the UR-102 – definitely one of the models that triggers the most nostalgia and cravings among URWERK collectors. “It was a watch reserved for our first circle, our friends, our family members. Those who were the first ones to believe in us, so it is a highly emotional piece.”
The good news is that it will once again be in the spotlight on 10 December 2022, this time in a “reloaded” version. A unique piece, #1 of the UR-102 « reloaded » series.
On 10 December 2022, in support of the emerging art scene, URWERK will dedicate a one-of-a-kind creation – the #1 of the UR-102 “reloaded” – to the Swiss Institute of New York.
The motivation behind this project is crystal clear. Martin Frei, chief designer and co-founder of URWERK expresses it best: “After graduating from the University of Arts and Applied Sciences in Lucerne, I started my creative journey in New York. With a few friends, we created the U.S.A. association (United Swiss Artists), an anchor point far from home, a point of fall or rather of support in difficult times. It is the same philosophy that I find in the approach of the Swiss Institute. Our involvement in this project was therefore self-evident»
The #1 UR-102 « reloaded » will be auctioned under the auspices of Phillips. This single-piece edition stems from a collaboration with Cooper Jacoby, an American contemporary artist who reinterprets one of the most emblematic and decisive URWERK creations: the UR-102 in its new “reloaded” version. Jacoby is an up-and- coming artist who draws attention to the functionality of the systems governing our lives. Using innovative treatments of materials such as nickel, copper, rubber and silicon, the artist creates electrifying sculptures, transforming what is often left invisible into striking and vibrant perceptions.
In this instance, Jacoby revisits the notion of graduation. This first UR-102 “reloaded” displays a wandering hour that counts down time in both analog and digital formats. On the dial of this one-of-a-kind watch, Jacoby uses thermochromic pigments to embody one of the body’s most essential regulatory systems: temperature. The dial of this UR-102 is thus transformed through a range of infinitely variable color tones, interacting with and changing in response to thermal variations. A ‘reloaded’ UR-102 immersed in a state of regular flux.
Engaged in a process of perpetual renewal, the Jacoby and URWERK creation marries the systemic precision of chronometry with the harmony of human biology.
Technical specifications Cooper Jacoby x UR-102 “reloaded” one-of-a-kind creation
Movement Calibre 2.02
Winding Automatic
Finishing Satin brushed
Frequency 28,800 bph
Jewels 25
Power reserve 48 hours
Indications Wandering hours appearing on engraved discs over a thermal colour index
Case case middle and hugs in titanium
Dimensions diameter 41mm, thickness 11.3mm
Glass Shaped sapphire glass
Water resistance 30m
Strap Baltimora fabric strap with pin buckle in sandblasted titanium
2 Comments
Fascinante!
Como siempre, cuaquier actividad innovadora tiene toda mi atención y mis mejores elogios.
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