URWERK UR-230 Polaris

URWERK has consistently pushed the boundaries of watchmaking with its avant-garde creations. The independent watchmaker, renowned for its distinctive satellite time displays and unconventional designs, has once again captivated the world with its latest masterpiece: the UR-230 Polaris. This remarkable timepiece, the second installment in the 230 series, marks a significant departure from URWERK's established aesthetic, embracing a new color palette and material that sets it apart from its predecessors.



URWERK's journey began in 1997, when Felix Baumgartner, a master watchmaker with a lineage steeped in horological tradition, joined forces with Martin Frei, an artist with a boundless imagination. Their shared vision was to create timepieces that transcended the conventional, fusing technical ingenuity with artistic expression. The name Urwerk itself reflects this philosophy, derived from the ancient Mesopotamian city of Ur, where timekeeping first emerged, and the German word "werk," meaning "work" or "mechanism." This fusion of historical significance and mechanical prowess encapsulates the essence of URWERK's creations.



From the outset, URWERK has challenged the norms of watch design, introducing groundbreaking complications and unconventional displays. The brand's signature satellite time indication, a mesmerizing dance of rotating hour indicators, has become synonymous with URWERK's identity. This unique mechanism, where numerals on a revolving carousel glide along an arc, has been reimagined and refined in each new model, captivating watch enthusiasts with its mesmerizing display.



The UR-230 Polaris, the latest evolution of this horological lineage, introduces a striking new aesthetic to the URWERK family. Departing from the brand's customary use of black, gray, and muted tones, the UR-230 Polaris embraces a pristine white case, crafted from a proprietary fiberglass-enhanced ceramic. This innovative material, developed exclusively by URWERK, not only provides exceptional durability but also lends a unique visual character to the timepiece.



The UR-230 Polaris's white ceramic case is a testament to URWERK's relentless pursuit of technical and aesthetic excellence. The material, a layered composite of woven ceramic sheets intertwined with fiberglass plies, is renowned for its exceptional strength and resilience. Unlike traditional ceramics, which can be prone to shattering upon impact, URWERK's proprietary ceramic composite overcomes this limitation through the integration of fiberglass. This ingenious solution ensures that the UR-230 Polaris can withstand the rigors of daily wear while maintaining its pristine appearance.



The visual appeal of the white ceramic case is further enhanced by the intricate layering of the material. The polymer base, infused with white resin, reveals a subtle interplay of light and shadow as it interacts with the silver-hued fiberglass. This dynamic interplay creates a captivating visual effect, reminiscent of the shimmering patterns found in carbon fiber. The result is a watch that exudes both technical sophistication and artistic finesse.



The UR-230 Polaris's white ceramic case houses the intricate mechanics of the UR-7.30 caliber, a testament to URWERK's mastery of horological complications. This self-winding movement, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, features a retrograde minute hand and a revolving satellite complication, URWERK's signature time display. The intricate interplay of gears, springs, and levers is a testament to the brand's dedication to mechanical excellence.



In addition to its captivating time display, the UR-230 Polaris introduces a groundbreaking innovation: a world-first set of shock absorbers designed to protect the delicate movement from external impacts. This ingenious system, inspired by turbines, utilizes a series of rotating blades to dissipate energy and safeguard the intricate mechanics. This technological advancement ensures the UR-230 Polaris's long-term reliability and precision, even in the face of everyday wear and tear.



The UR-230 Polaris's commitment to innovation extends to its winding system, which features an adjustable "air brake" mechanism. This unique feature allows the wearer to modulate the winding power according to their activity level, ensuring optimal performance and preventing overwinding. A simple twist of a knob on the caseback adjusts the air brake, providing a personalized winding experience.



The UR-230 Polaris's design seamlessly blends URWERK's signature avant-garde aesthetic with a touch of classicism. The trapezoidal case, with its elongated profile and angular lines, is a hallmark of URWERK's design language. The crown, positioned at 12 o'clock, adds a touch of traditional watchmaking to the overall design. The interplay of acute and softened angles creates a dynamic visual tension, capturing the essence of URWERK's unique style.



The UR-230 Polaris marks a significant departure from URWERK's traditional aesthetic, embracing a new color palette and material that sets it apart from its predecessors. The watch's white ceramic case, carved from a block of proprietary fiberglass-enhanced ceramic, radiates with an unparalleled brilliance, opening a new color horizon for the brand. This departure from the customary black, gray, and muted textures of URWERK's previous creations signals a bold new direction, infusing the timepiece with a sense of energy and vitality.



The choice of white ceramic is not only visually striking but also technically significant. The material, developed exclusively by URWERK, combines the hardness and durability of ceramic with the flexibility and strength of fiberglass. This unique composite is not only more resistant to impact than traditional ceramics but also lighter and more resilient, ensuring that the UR-230 Polaris can withstand the rigors of daily wear while maintaining its pristine appearance.



The white ceramic case is meticulously crafted, with each layer of the composite carefully machined to reveal the intricate interplay of light and shadow. The result is a stunning visual effect, where the white resin encapsulating the fiberglass plies creates a subtle shimmer, reminiscent of the shimmering patterns found in carbon fiber. This interplay of light and shadow adds depth and dimension to the case, accentuating its unique contours and angles.



The UR-230 Polaris is not just a beautiful timepiece; it is also a technical marvel, showcasing URWERK's mastery of horological complications. At its heart lies the UR-7.30 caliber, an in-house movement that exemplifies the brand's commitment to innovation and precision. This automatic winding movement features a retrograde minute hand and a satellite time display, URWERK's signature complication, which is a testament to the brand's ingenuity and creativity.



The satellite time display, a hallmark of URWERK timepieces, is a captivating spectacle. Four hour numerals are mounted on rotating satellites, which glide across the dial, revealing the current time in a unique and mesmerizing way. This innovative display not only enhances the visual appeal of the watch but also provides a highly legible and intuitive timekeeping experience.



The URWERK UR-230 Polaris, limited to only 35 pieces, comes with a price tag that reflects its exclusivity and technical prowess. At CHF 150,000 (Swiss francs, excluding tax), it's a significant investment reserved for serious collectors who appreciate the pinnacle of horological innovation and artistry. This price point places it firmly within the realm of high-end watchmaking, where exceptional craftsmanship, groundbreaking complications, and limited production numbers converge to create timepieces that transcend mere timekeeping and become objects of art and engineering.



Case: Exclusive white ceramic developed in collaboration with URWERK. Width: 44.81 mm. Length: 53.55 mm. Thickness: 18.38 mm. Sapphire crystal and Black DLC-treated titanium caseback with sapphire crystal. Water resistance: 30 meters (3 ATM).

Movement: Caliber UR-7.30 developed by URWERK. Automatic winding with adjustable option. 48-hour power reserve. Swiss anchor escapement. Frequency: 28,800 vph, 4 Hz. 50 jewels.

Dial: Wandering hours on a revolving satellite complication (URWERK patented), 3D retrograde minute hand. Air brake system for winding regulation. Automatic winding on/off indicator.

Strap: Vulcanized rubber, "Kiska" reference with Velcro closure.

Price: CHF 150,000 (Swiss francs / excluding tax)

Notes: Limited edition of 35 pieces. Features a world-first set of shock absorbers designed to protect the caliber via turbines. Second set of turbines controls the flow of air that feeds the winding system.