Satellites instead of hands
By Marco Bellini, Zurich ยท
The UR-100V has no hands in the usual sense. Three rotating satellites carry the hour numerals, and as each one travels across an arc it points to the minutes. After 60, the minute pointer continues across two small scales: the distance a point on the equator travels in 20 minutes, and how far the Earth moves around the Sun in the same time.
The UR 12.02 automatic has 48 hours of reserve. Urwerk's Planetary Turbine system slows the rotor to reduce wear. The Magic T version is microblasted titanium on a matching bracelet: 41 by 49.7 mm and 14 mm high, 5 bar.
The astronomical indications are more poetry than function. You will look at them once, smile, and then use the watch to tell the time like anyone else. And legibility at a glance is not perfect.
At about CHF 58,000, it is the cheapest way into Urwerk. It's a marvellous object, and the flaws come with the territory.