Urwerk’s UR-111C ? the brand’s latest timepiece unveiled last week ? is a direct descendant of the UR-CC1 King Cobra from 2009 (which itself was inspired by a Patek Philippe prototype created by Louis Cottier and Gilbert Albert in 1959), but it differs in a number of ways. By borrowing the retrograde linear display from the UR-CC1, Urwerk has once again eschewed its recognizable wandering indicator in favor of a brand new time-telling system that involves optical fiber, dual minute indicators, and a roller set smack dab in the middle of the watch that functions as its crown.
On the wrist with the Urwerk UR-111C in its gunmetal gray finish.
After its release, I had the opportunity to sit down with Felix Baumgartner, co-founder of Urwerk, to discuss the new watch. Before we get into the interview, which touches on a wide variety of topics including Alfred Hitchcock’s role in the watch’s creation, Urwerk’s evolution since 2009, and what Louis Cottier would think of Urwerk, here’s a look at how the UR-111C works and what makes it noteworthy. The Urwerk UR-111C
Intended to function as an avant-garde “drivers” watch, the hour and pair of minute indicators are located on the front side. Hours are displayed digitally on a truncated cone on the left side; a skeletonized helix/cylinder displays the minutes linearly and stretches diagonally across the face of the watch; the second minute display is located to the right on its own truncat...