UR-203

Urwerk UR-203 Watch Hands-On

Not too long ago Urwerk came out with a watch that they nicknamed the Hammerhead. Given this name because of its widening dial that makes room for the minute scale near the front of the face. In the tradition of Urwerk, time it told via an ingenious system of rotating hands that display the hour and follow a linear minute scale. The spinning central system has three such hands, each with four hour indicators on them. Urwerk calls these "satellites." The proper hour pivots into position to face you so that you can read the time. Seen in a visually pleasing, almost lime-green tone. Thus, in the image here it is about 7:30. The first such was was the UR-202, and seen here is the follow-up model, the UR-203. The 203 has some interesting differences, most notable are a few different complications, and a case in platinum that is covered in in black. An odd thing really - having a precious metal case that is covered so as to disguise the metal below. Urwerk doesn't seem to mind that no one knows the watch is in platinum. It is enough for them that the wearer does.

Reading the time is easier that you might expect - a reasonably alternative to hands. If you notice the little needle coming out of the hour indicator like a precision hand, you'll be impressed that the hand retracts back into the unit when it is time for the satellite to spin back around the case. One of the coolest things about the 203 is the view from the back. The automatic winding movement spins a duo of turbines on the rear of the watch. These spin as you move around the timepiece - showing that the automatic winding is functioning. A very nicely stylized part of the watch. There is a level on the rear of the watch (simply to use and refined to the touch) that will lock the automatic rotor in place. Two red bars appear in a window on the rear when winding is locked. Why would you want to lock the winding? So that the watch can put up with more shock resistance during strenuous activity. You can then unlock the rotor when you are done with your golf swing for example.

Gallery: Urwerk UR-203 Watch