Urwerk

URWERK has redesigned its iconic satellite hours complication with the UR-150 Scorpion, a watch with a rounded exterior that hides a powerful mechanism. The watch’s design is inspired by the scorpion’s stinger, symbolized by the trajectory of the 240-degree minutes hand, which strikes fast and aggressively when it reaches the hour mark. Despite its menacing inspiration, the design retains URWERK’s characteristic calm and refined appearance, according to Felix Baumgartner, co-founder of the brand.

The mechanism of the Urwerk UR-150 Scorpion features an innovative retrograde hand that frames the hour, and at the end of every hour, it resets in just 1/100th of a second. The complex system of satellites and the new satellite complication rely on a cam mechanism, replacing the traditional Maltese cross-system, and is visible in the larger gap between the 60 and 0-minute markers. This setup creates a ‘Perfect Storm’ of mechanics that optimizes energy efficiency and maintains accuracy, with the minutes hand traveling across a 240-degree arc.

The automatic winding system is also advanced, equipped with turbines that absorb shocks, protecting the mechanism. The new design combines sharp angles with smooth curves, ensuring ergonomic comfort as it follows the shape of the wrist. URWERK’s creative director, Martin Frei, explains the balance of tension in the design, emphasizing that the watch’s vitality comes from this dynamic interaction between curves and sharp mechanics.

Finally, the Urwerk UR-150 Scorpion is available in two versions: Titan and Dark, with a limited production of 50 pieces each.