Originally introduced last year in 2022, the Urwerk UR-120 represents a unique take on the brand’s signature wandering hours display that splits the individual satellites apart in a V-shape as they rotate and make their way around the dial. Although the UR-120 made its debut appearance in sandblasted titanium and stainless steel, Urwerk’s latest release for 2023 takes the overall design of the UR-120 and gives it a black DLC makeover. Officially known as the Urwerk UR-120 Space Black, the new model is all about the power of black in design, and it features a dark profile as the backdrop for bright colorful accents to create a fresh take on this highly dynamic and futuristic design.
At a quick glance, the new Urwerk UR-120 Space Black is essentially an updated colorway of the original model that debuted in 2022. Rather than featuring raw sandblasted metal components, the entirety of the case on the new UR-120 Space Black receives a jet black DLC finish in order to further highlight the lines and curvature of its design. Just like the inaugural model, the case of the new Space Black edition features an asymmetric profile that measures 47mm wide by 44mm lug-to-lug, with an overall thickness of 15.8mm, and just like the original version, it consists of a stainless steel upper section and a titanium lower one, which connect together with hinges and lateral screws that help create 30 meters of water resistance.
Just like with the original version of the UR-120, the stainless steel and titanium case components of the new Space Black edition are sandblasted for a matte finish before they receive a black DLC treatment. Additionally, just like the original Urwerk UR-120, the lugs feature an articulating design that helps them better conform to the wrist, and the strap itself is made from black calf leather with an embossed ballistic Cordura pattern on its surface. Completed by a chunky tang-style buckle, the strap fitted to the new Urwerk UR-120 Space Black appears to be identical to what can be found on the inaugural model that was announced last year, and if you are curious to see how this asymmetric case and articulating lug design wears on the wrist, you can find our hands-on review of the original UR-120 model right here.
To better complement its all-black case, the satellite display of the new Urwerk UR-120 Space Black also receives an updated colorway, and rather than appearing in natural metal tones with white markings, a significant portion of the components are now finished black with bright green luminous markings joining the blue-glowing white ones. This contrast in accenting colors helps to create a more colorful and dynamic overall appearance, despite the fact that the watch primarily features black-finished components. Aside from the updated colors, the overall display of the new Space Black edition is oriented the same as what exits on the original UR-120, and it features three orbiting satellites that track the hours, along with an arc-shaped scale for the corresponding minutes, which is located on the right-hand side of the area that sits under the curved asymmetric sapphire crystal.
Just like the original version of the UR-120 that debuted last year, the new Urwerk UR-120 Space Black is powered by the brand’s UR-20.01 automatic movement, which still relies on the underlying technology of a traditional Swiss lever escapement, despite having a rather unusual wandering hours display with a trio of satellites that split apart and rotate as they move around the dial. Running at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz) with a power reserve of 48 hours, the Urwerk Cal. UR-20.01 also features the brand’s signature Windfänger winding mechanism, which is responsible for regulating the intensity of the rotor’s rotations and appears as a star-shaped component seen through the small arc-shaped display window in the caseback.
While its asymmetric case profile and highly technical satellite display undeniably make it a rather modern and unconventional watch, the Urwerk UR-120 is hardly the brand’s brand’s most outlandish, and the smooth profile and articulating lugs go a long way towards softening its overall design. Since the new Urwerk UR-120 Space Black features DLC-finished components, it costs slightly more than the original version that debuted last year, and it is accompanied by an official retail price of 110,000 CHF (which works out to just a little bit over $120,000 USD at the time of writing). Additionally, while an all-black watch with green accents is one of Urwerk’s signature aesthetics, this new Space Black model represents this fan-favorite colorway’s expansion onto the sleek and technical UR-120 series, and it ultimately results in an overall appearance that is even more modern compared to the original UR-120 model. For more information on the Urwerk UR-120 Space Black, please visit the brand’s website.
