For 2017, the technically inspired, avant-garde watchmaker Urwerk is releasing their Urwerk UR-T8 watch to mark the 20th anniversary of the brand. A notable feature of the Urwerk UR-T8 is that it allows for the case to be flipped, kind of Reverso-style, to display the titanium caseback facing up while hiding/protecting the dial underneath. This design allows the wearer to change the look of the Urwerk UR-T8 on the fly between watch and “mystery object” on the wrist. Although the practical necessity of this function is questionable, it’s certainly attention-grabbing and another interesting twist from the unconventional Swiss watchmaker.
It should be noted that Urwerk is calling this their first transformable watch. When the dial is hidden, the Urwerk UR-T8 offers a static, yet highly textured look that can definitely serve as a real conversation piece. If the wearer wants to revert back and show the dial, it’s only a matter of squeezing the two buttons on the side of the case, lifting it vertically, rotating the case 180° around its axis, and returning it back to its initial flat position. In this mode, Urwerk proudly displays a new version of their trademark wandering hour indication.
The wandering hour feature on the Urwerk UR-T8 is something we’ve come to associate with the brand. One of my favorite releases to include it definitely has to be the Urwerk UR-105TA “Clockwork Orange” Watch that we were able to see hands-on here. This UR-T8 version is comprised of a three-armed carousel system that combines the 12 hours into groups of four that move along a 60-minute scale. This results in a display that straddles analog and digital and is achieved through complex planetary gearing. Urwerk calls it their most elaborate carousel configuration to date, and it’s certainly satisfying to see it applied in a timepiece marking a very important anniversary for the brand.
The case of the Urwerk UR-T8 watch measures 60.23mm x 48.35mm x 20.02mm and offers 3 ATM of water resistance. Inside beats Urwerk’s caliber UR 8.01 mechanical, automatic-winding movement featuring 39 hours of power reserve and a single turbine unidirectional rotor-regulated winding system.
The Urwerk UR-T8 watch looks like a bold and mechanically interesting timepiece. It does its job at representing the essence of what Urwerk has achieved in their 20 years of watchmaking and offers a unique wearing experience that’s sure to be a hit with the brand’s dedicated collectors and followers. As mentioned previously, the Urwerk UR-T8 watch will be available in natural titanium or black PVD-coated case options and limited to an initial run of 60 pieces. Price for the Urwerk UR-T8 is CHF 100,000. urwerk.com