Watchmaker Urwerk breathes new life into its inaugural timepiece, outfitting it with T-Rex like scales in a bold redesign.
After over two decades since its initial debut, the URWERK UR-101 makes a comeback, reimagined as the UR-101 T-Rex. This limited edition watch, available in a run of only 100 pieces, is a testament to the brand's commitment to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking design.
A Nod to the Past, an Eye on the Future
The UR-101 T-Rex, first introduced in 1997, was one of the first wandering hours pieces ever made. Co-founders Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei, known for their outside-the-box designs, have taken design cues from the original model, giving the T-Rex a unique blend of old and new.
A Distinctive Design
The UR-101 T-Rex boasts a black arced dial with a guilloche texture that resembles dinosaur scales, a nod to its T-Rex namesake. The texture is applied on top of dark, hand-painted bronze metal, giving the watch an earthy, tactile aesthetic. The case size has been increased to 41mm, and the flattened case front, crown shape, and lug pattern are similar to the UR-102 Reloaded.
Innovative Time Display and Movement
The UR-101 T-Rex retains the URWERK hallmark wandering hour complication, where the hour indication travels across a minute scale in an unconventional, artistic arrangement. The movement facilitates the movement of the two satellites, each with six numerals for the hours. The watch is powered by a new Vaucher-based UR-1.01V automatic wandering hours movement.
Limited Availability and Pricing
Given its limited edition status, the UR-101 T-Rex is available exclusively through selected outlets such as EsperLuxe. The watch is priced at CHF 38,000 (~$43,264). The strap is adorned with a black textile-looking rubber strap with calfskin leather lining. The lime green numerals on the dial are painted with Super-LumiNova, ensuring legibility in low light conditions.
A Stylistic Statement Piece
The UR-101 T-Rex is a bold, visually striking watch that combines URWERK’s pioneering mechanical watchmaking with a raw, prehistoric aesthetic. Some hardcore fans might find it polarizing, but there's no denying its unique character and the statement it makes within the brand's collection.
[1] EsperLuxe. (n.d.). URWERK UR-101 T-Rex. Retrieved from https://www.esperluxe.com/products/urwerk-ur-101-t-rex [2] Urwerk. (n.d.). URWERK UR-101 T-Rex. Retrieved from https://www.urwerk.com/watches/ur-101/ur-101-t-rex/
- The UR-101 T-Rex, a limited edition watch by Urwerk, showcases a blend of style from the past and cutting-edge technology, as it incorporates elements from the original 1997 model while utilizing modern materials and movements.
- The UR-101 T-Rex's unique design, priced at CHF 38,000, combines Urwerk's signature wandering hour complication with a distinctive aesthetic that echoes prehistoric dinosaur scales, making it a striking, statement piece within the brand's collection.
