103t

Urwerk 103T Shining-T & Mexican Fireleg Watches Hands-On

People make a pretty big deal out of Urwerk and brands like it. The idea is perhaps that they are doing something so different that their work is worth recognizing. Also it could possibly be that their pieces exhibit a superior form of finishing and craftsmanship. Then again, people might just like their watches. The real reason behind the success of the small, luxury watch maker Urwerk is perhaps a combination of elements. Personally, I like the polished refinement in their pieces, and the straightforward execution of their time-telling concepts. In Switzerland I met with them and checked out some of their watches. Here for you are their newest pieces. Line extensions of the 103T watches, done in limited editions named the Shining-T and Mexican Fireleg (no doubt you can tell which is which). I previously wrote about these watches here.

Time spent with the watches reveals a lot of hidden details. They are "interesting" to wear, and cooler to look at. The cases are very solid and well made, with the interior details having the refinement of a precision tool. These are really the un-watch. They want to tell time in a different way, and play with traditional concepts of luxury. Take for instance the black PVD coated case of the 103T Shining-T. Know what is under that black PVD? 18k rose gold. Yup, and you'd never even know it was there. The Shining-T is my fav, though they are both cool. It uses sapphire crystal for the time telling satellites.

Urwerk really put their time into making the movements. Really high quality and ergonomic. This is a brand that actually understands watches are meant to be precision machines. On the back of the watch you have some additional information. Here is a special 15 minute dial that helps with precision setting of the time, as well as a power reserve indicator and seconds dial. Putting the watches on you feel a curious sensation wearing the device. It looks less like a watch than you might think - and that is part of the point. Reading the time is actually quite simple, and you don't really need any adjustment time. These two limited edition pieces aren't cheap, but they are well made - and you can't find quality or craftsmanship anywhere else for a novelty like this.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com

Gallery: Urwerk 103T Shining-T and Fireleg

Tags: 103T, 2010, mexican fireleg, MexicanFireleg, shining-t, urwerk, watch

Urwerk 103T Mexican Fireleg and Shining-T Watches

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Last year it was the Urwerk 103T Tarantula that was getting people excited. The "Tarantula" part of the name was based a bit on the vague visual idea that the style of satellite time arms on the watch look like legs - arachnid legs, but proved most to be a good marketing idea. The all black titanium watch is back this year with two new versions. Most notable is the 103T Mexican Fire Leg as seen above. Aside from very minor changes and the orange tone of the numerals and other accents on the case, the watch is the same. But now with a new name that sounds a lot like a disease you might pick up in a Sonoran desert. "Keep hydrated and change your socks regularly, else you might come done with some nasty Mexican Fire Leg." Though the name just refers to a creepy looking tarantula from "them parts."

The Shining T on the other hands has a bit of cosmetic changes on the dial and arms that move the satellites around the watch face. I am not sure, but Shining T sounds like a character or show from Japanese animation. Manga nerds rejoice, and start saving up. For the price of about 40,000 comic books, you too might be the proud owner of Urwerk's finest.

Each watch features an Urwerk made manually winding movement that displays the hours and minutes. The cases are done in aluminum and titanium and 36mm wide by 50mm tall - attached to alligator straps. The Mexican Fire Leg is available in a limited edition of 60, while there will be just 33 pieces for Shining to. Click Read More below for an image of the Shining T watch.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: 103, 103t, mexican fire leg, MexicanFireLeg, shining t, ShiningT, urwerk, watch

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