The UR-105 TA revisits Urwerk’s iconic satellite indication, which has been an emblematic and instantly recognizable signature element of the brand for 18 years. Four satellites, each bearing three hour numerals, successively reveal themselves from under a sublime guilloché black cover in polyetheretherketone (PEEK) as they parade past the minute rail to display the time. Everything exudes precision and refinement, from the carrousel chassis to the dial, from the touches that are invisible to those on full display through the large sapphire crystal. For example, the hidden ARCAP satellite carrousel has been treated with ruthenium then micro bead blasted to a finish meeting the very highest standards of haute horlogerie. “With the UR-105 TA we wanted to get the best of two worlds. We have enjoyed demonstrating the extent of our savoir-faire, from the micron-precision mastery of our CNC machines, to the superb hand finishing carried out in our ateliers. It is a piece that delights the eye. Observed under the loupe, it reveals all the little subtleties that we have incorporated into it,” says Felix Baumgartner, and URWERK co-founder and chief watchmaker. The UR-105 TA also embodies all the years of research invested in URWERK’s wandering hour satellites. Here, the ingenuity of this mechanism lies in the invisible carrousel responsible for the operation of the satellite hours. The carousel operates precisely, silently, subtly and in harmony with the rest of the timepiece.

 

The “TA” of the UR-105 TA stands for “Turbine Automatic”. That is because the movement’s automatic winding is optimally regulated by dual air turbines on full show on the back. These turbines are bead-blasted, satin-finished and treated with black PVD for perfect aesthetics. The winding mode is selected by a small lever. In the “FULL” position, only the slightest movement is needed to wind up the mainspring. “RED.” (for “REDUCED”) moderates the winding so as to minimize excessive tension on the mainspring. On “STOP” mode, the winding system is disabled and the UR-105 TA can then be hand-wound if necessary by the crown. “The UR-105 TA is our URWERK Knight,” says Martin Frei, artistic director and co-founder of URWERK.  “The bezel evokes the breastplate of a knight’s armor, protecting the mechanism from the ravages of time. The UR-105 TA is an haute horlogerie creation, with all high-end codes respected, but in the Black Orange or Black Lemon versions, it’s their zesty appeal that really arouses the senses.”  Sand blasting and micro bead blasting are applied with the same care as with more classical timepieces. However, the addition of bright colors has these watches bursting into life, and infusing them with real energy. It is the watch that the team had the most fun in designing, the most pleasure in developing its mechanisms, and the most satisfaction in its hand finishing and assembly.