The New Urwerk UR-100V Time & Culture II “Sumer”

In 2022, Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei unveiled a limited edition watch in the UR-100V series, richly decorated drawing inspiration from the Aztec Sun Stone, a masterpiece of pre-Columbian Mesoamerican art. Today, Urwerk introduces the second UR-100V edition in the Time & Culture series, transporting us to Mesopotamia circa 3000 BC, specifically to the city of Ur, where the local Sumerians laid the basis for time measurement still in use today.

The Urwerk UR-100V Time & Culture II features a familiar asymmetrical 49.7mm x 41mm case and a domed cover, concealing two-thirds of its signature satellite wandering hours display. The dial’s intricate cover, protected by a sapphire crystal, is decorated with the symbol of Utu, the god of the Sun, Truth, and Justice in its original ancient image – a four-pointed sun.

Sumerian Moon god Nanna, the chief astral god of the Sumerians, humbly floats next to the 0 and 60-minute marks, surrounded by spaceships and celestial bodies, all bathed in blue light as a tribute to Innana, goddess of Love, War, and Female Fertility, as her favourite stone was lapis lazuli. The intricate engravings, a nod to Sumerian heritage, exhibit impeccable artistry with satin-brushed ridges and micro-sandblasted hollows.

The time reading functions are displayed in a window at 6 o’clock as the satellite wandering hours move along a sloping chapter ring indicating the minutes. Additional complications are subtly integrated into the ornate dial – apertures at 10 and 2 o’clock track Earth’s rotation and revolution around the Sun. The 2 o’clock indicator details the 35,742 kilometres Earth travels in orbit every 20 minutes, while the 10 o’clock indicator calculates the 477.29 kilometres travelled by the inhabitants of the city of Ur every 20 minutes due to Earth’s rotation.

The UR-100V Time and Culture II is powered by the UR12.02 automatic movement, using a Vaucher movement as a base. It has a 48-hour power reserve and operates at a frequency of 28,800 vph. The UR12.02 features Urwerk’s signature orbital satellite hours gear train and a Windfänger winding rotor.

Completing the Sumer-inspired timepiece is a rugged Baltimore woven fabric strap in black, secured with a pin buckle. This limited edition of 30 pieces is priced at CHF 72,000, taxes excluded.

For more information, please visit Urwerk.com.