Back in 2014, Urwerk created its first EMC watch (EMC stands for Electronic Mechanical Control), which was a revolutionary timepiece with a micro-generator and an integrated timing machine that enabled wearers to track the mechanical precision of their watches and adjust them to compensate for small environmental irregularities. Now, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the EMC series in 2024, the Swiss manufacturer has created the Urwerk EMC SR-71, which is a 10-piece limited edition that features a generator crank handle constructed from an actual piece of the fuselage from the famous Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” aircraft.

The new Urwerk EMC SR-71 is produced in collaboration with Dreamland, an aerospace and lifestyle brand created by watch designer Jason Sarkoyan and aeronautical engineer Dr. Roman Sperl. Dreamland approached Urwerk back in December 2020 with the idea of creating the EMC SR-71 to celebrate the decade milestone of the EMC collection, and the limited-edition model is now making its appearance as the brand’s latest release of 2024. The conceptual genesis of the Urwerk EMC SR-71 came from Dreamland’s acquisition of genuine SR-71 fuselage pieces, which are made from a special titanium alloy that contains aluminum, vanadium, silicon, iron, and molybdenum (along with other elements). The SR-71 fuselage pieces were melted down, and the special titanium alloy was reworked to create the folding crank handle for the EMC SR-71’s built-in generator.

Rather than having an open display with a large time-telling dial like the EMC TimeHunter models, the new Urwerk EMC SR-71 embraces the segmented style of display that can be found on the original EMC watches. This creates an aesthetic parallel with the cockpit instruments of the SR-71 aircraft. The small sub-dial on the lower right-hand corner of the display tracks the hours and minutes, while the register directly above it serves as the running seconds for the time. On the left-hand side of the display, the smaller arc-shaped register functions as a power reserve indicator, while the larger arc-shaped display is the δ performance indicator that offers on-demand access to a display of the watch’s timekeeping precision. All Urwerk EMC models are characterized by an overtly modern and technical appearance, although the segmented style of display used for the new EMC SR-71 offers an even greater aesthetic departure from the blueprint of a conventional wristwatch.

Crafted from titanium and stainless steel components, the case of the new Urwerk EMC SR-71 appears in the same angular and blocky instrument shape as previous EMC models, and it measures 47.55mm wide by 17.58mm thick, with a profile of 49.57mm in the lug-to-lug direction. Sapphire is used for the crystals, while water resistance comes in at 30 meters, and the majority of the EMC SR-71’s external components are given a matte blasted finish to further lean into the modern and technical appearance of the watch. Unlike the original EMC Black from 2014, the bezel surrounding the time-telling registers and the generator crank handle are left untreated to create additional aesthetic contrast, and rather than having its strap mounted directly to the underside of its case, the new EMC SR-71 features articulating lugs that are fitted with an olive green velcro-style strap that is constructed from nylon and leather.

Just like other EMC models, the new Urwerk EMC SR-71 is powered by the brand’s in-house Caliber UR-EMC manual-wind movement, which is essentially a traditional Swiss lever escapement combined with an integrated timing machine that is powered by tiny hand-crank generator. The Cal. UR-EMC runs at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with a power reserve of 80 hours. However, its standout feature is the ability to measure the accuracy of its timekeeping, which allows owners to make compensating adjustments to dial in its precision. Rotating the fold-out handle on the right-hand side of the case activates the generator, which charges a capacitor that powers the δ performance indicator (meaning there is no battery). An internal optical sensor measures the movement’s timekeeping against a 6,000,000 Hz electronic oscillator, with the data presented on the upper left-hand register. Owners can fine-tune the accuracy of their watches accordingly by using a small screw that is located along the rim of the display caseback.

On the Urwerk EMC SR-71, the upper frame for its movement is finished bright yellow to further lean into its instrument-themed appearance, and on the front side of the watch, the directional arrow for the generator crank also appears in this punchy shade of yellow. Additionally, the small red accents that punctuate the registers of its display are echoed in the four screws that secure the display caseback, and these small colorful flourishes set against an otherwise utilitarian color palette of black, gray, and olive create a highly rugged and technical aesthetic. Nearly all of Urwerk’s watches feel like they could serve as props in a high-budget Hollywood sci-fi film, and you could easily see something like the new EMC SR-71 appearing on screen as an intergalactic pilot’s watch or some piece of futuristic military equipment.

Despite being born in the 1960s, the Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” still stands as one of the most technologically impressive aircraft of all time. While it has been officially retired in favor of reconnaissance satellites and unmanned aerial vehicles, the SR-71 still holds the world record (which it set in 1976) for being the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft ever created. The 10 examples of the limited-edition Urwerk EMC SR-71 have an official retail price of 150,000 CHF (or approximately $175,000 USD, at the time of writing), which makes them more expensive than their siblings that don’t include components crafted from genuine SR-71 fuselage pieces. With that said, even the least expensive EMC models are still six-figure watches. As someone who has always admired the Lockheed SR-71 aircraft, the new Urwerk EMC SR-71 naturally appeals to me on a conceptual level, although I also feel that it might be the best-looking version of the EMC that Urwerk has put forward, as it truly leans into the precision instrument ethos of the model. For more information on the Urwerk EMC SR-71, please visit the brand’s website.