
Urwerk unveils the UR-230 Polaris Watch
The space design of the timepiece is influenced by Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi movies.

Watches

16 december 2024

Photo: Urwerk
Urwerk has introduced the UR-230 Polaris, a stunning new model that shines in a brilliant white, contrasting sharply with the brand's traditional palette of black, grey, and muted tones. The case of the UR-230 Polaris is crafted from a patented ceramic-based composite infused with fiberglass. The white resin that coats the material causes the case to shimmer and reflect various shades depending on the light and angle of view. Inside, it houses the nearly all-black calibre UR-7.30.

Martin Frei, the art director and co-founder of Urwerk, draws parallels between the design of this new timepiece and the aesthetics of Stanley Kubrick's films "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Apollo 11," where white plays a crucial role in thermal protection in space. These futuristic watches feature Urwerk's signature complication, the "Rotating Satellite," designed as a three-pronged carousel with rotating satellite cubes and a curved minute scale. At the start of each hour, the cube displaying the correct number integrates into a 3D arrow made of aluminium, which moves along the retrograde minute scale marked in white.

The self-winding mechanism boasts a 48-hour power reserve and is equipped with a unique shock absorption system featuring two sets of turbines. One set mitigates impacts to the watch, while the other optimises airflow directed to the winding mechanism. This allows for adjustable winding intensity or the option to completely disengage the automatic feature, switching the watch to manual winding mode.

The case back is made from black DLC titanium, and the strap is crafted from vulcanised rubber. The release is limited to just 35 pieces.

Martin Frei, the art director and co-founder of Urwerk, draws parallels between the design of this new timepiece and the aesthetics of Stanley Kubrick's films "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Apollo 11," where white plays a crucial role in thermal protection in space. These futuristic watches feature Urwerk's signature complication, the "Rotating Satellite," designed as a three-pronged carousel with rotating satellite cubes and a curved minute scale. At the start of each hour, the cube displaying the correct number integrates into a 3D arrow made of aluminium, which moves along the retrograde minute scale marked in white.

The self-winding mechanism boasts a 48-hour power reserve and is equipped with a unique shock absorption system featuring two sets of turbines. One set mitigates impacts to the watch, while the other optimises airflow directed to the winding mechanism. This allows for adjustable winding intensity or the option to completely disengage the automatic feature, switching the watch to manual winding mode.

The case back is made from black DLC titanium, and the strap is crafted from vulcanised rubber. The release is limited to just 35 pieces.




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