Urwerk UR-10 SpaceMeter: Time as a Journey Through Space

With the URWERK UR-10 SpaceMeter, the independent watchmaking maison founded by Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei once again redefines the boundaries of contemporary haute horlogerie. More than a watch, the UR-10 is a reflection on the relationship between time and space, between science and mechanical poetry. The result is a creation that marks a new chapter in URWERK’s history — one that unites extreme engineering with cosmic philosophy. The titanium and steel case, measuring 45.40 mm in diameter and just 7.13 mm thick, embodies this balance of sophistication and precision. Water-resistant to 30 meters, the watch is fitted with an integrated sandblasted titanium bracelet that perfectly complements its futuristic aesthetic and the brand’s distinctive DNA.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF URWERK

Unlike the Maison’s iconic satellite displays, the URWERK UR-10 features a round dial with central hands and three concentric sub-dials. Its seemingly traditional architecture hides a deeply experimental spirit. Part of the Special Projects line, the UR-10 showcases URWERK’s ability to reinvent itself while remaining true to its identity of independent watchmaking and avant-garde design.

The UR-10 is neither a chronograph nor a calendar; instead, it measures the distances traveled by Earth through space. Its three astronomical counters act as true instruments of cosmic measurement: at 2 o’clock, EARTH indicates every 10 km covered by the planet’s daily rotation; at 4 o’clock, SUN tracks every 1,000 km of orbital motion; and at 9 o’clock, ORBIT combines both readings across two synchronized scales.

On the caseback, a peripheral 24-hour scale traces the Earth’s rotation, while the engravings “Rotation” and “Revolution” move in opposite directions — a poetic nod to the cosmic dance of our planet. “Time and space are the same reality,” says Martin Frei, co-founder and artistic director of URWERK.

MOVEMENT AND TECHNICAL INNOVATION

At the heart of the URWERK UR-10 SpaceMeter beats an automatic movement with twin barrels, developed in collaboration with Vaucher Manufacture and offering a power reserve of 43 hours. On this foundation, URWERK has integrated its in-house SpaceMeter module, the result of meticulous miniaturization and energy optimization.

The movement architecture includes five wheels on five axes, rubies to reduce friction, and skeletonized LIGA components weighing as little as 0.009 grams. Efficiency is further enhanced by the patented Double Flow Turbine winding system, featuring two counter-rotating turbines that generate airflow to regulate the rotor’s speed, protecting the mechanism while creating a mesmerizing visual effect.

DESIGN AND URWERK PHILOSOPHY

The round case of the UR-10, crafted from titanium and steel and inspired by Gérald Genta’s structural vision, features a caseband-free construction made of just two components secured by a longitudinal screw. Its clean, symmetrical design embodies URWERK’s distinctive mechanical complexity, while the hands and dial, fully developed and finished in-house, reflect the brand’s relentless pursuit of aesthetic and technical perfection.

The URWERK UR-10 SpaceMeter is available in two limited editions of 25 pieces each, featuring either a black or titanium-colored dial, priced at CHF 70,000 excluding taxes.