Like a spacecraft, Urwerk UR-112 Back to Black is the third watch in Urwerk’s UR-112 series, which can be a sci-fi series.
Founded in 1997, Urwerk is one of the most innovative and futuristic members of independent Swiss watchmaking with its contemporary and original designs. Having introduced its first watches, the Urwerk UR-101 and UR-102, at the 1997 Baselworld Fair, the brand has since grown by expanding its concept with unorthodox designs blended with science fiction. Celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2022, the brand announced Urwerk UR-112 Aggregat Odyssee as the second watch in the UR-112 line, which is also can be described as a spacecraft on the wrist. We called it as a spacecraft since its design refer to several sci-fi movies from Star Wars to Battlestar Galactica. Now, the brand dropped its most digital mechanical watch, the Urwerk UR-112 Back to Black
Urwerk press release described the timepiece with these words, “If I were a hero, I would be James Bond; if I were a color, I would be black in the darkest night, if I were a car, I would be the Bugatti Atlantic Type 57 SC. As Urwerk UR-112 Back to Black, I am the most digital of all URWERK mechanical watches.” Besides its black and stunning design, Urwerk UR-112 Back to Black stands out with its jumping hour function and digital second hour.
The UR-112 Back to Black has a complex design and is made in a 42 mm diameter steel-titanium case. The upper part of the watch in which the dial is normally located, is covered by a retractable lid that resembles a steel hood. When this top flap is opened, we see the second power reserve and the digital seconds display. The time is tracked by cylindrical prisms placed just below this hood. On the left side of this cylinder we can see the time, while on the right side we can see the minute counter, which advances every 5 minutes.
Master watchmaker Felix Baumgartner, one of the founders of the brand, says the mechanics and finishes of the watch are almost a challenge. The most energy generated in the watch’s central engine is distributed in four directions along no less than 12 axes. The automatic caliber UR-13.01 is in the central body of the case. When the two pushers on the sides of the watch are pressed and the lid is opened, the power reserve and a small seconds display appear. A large barrel providing 48 hours of power reserve. A few centimeters long shaft in the middle of the movement (probably the longest piece used in modern watchmaking) connects the movement with the cylinder prism that displays the time. This connection is made by a new gear train that moves the hour and minute prisms through two 90° bevel gears. The black aluminum prisms, which also match the case of the watch, are fixed by planetary systems that allow them to rotate both on their own axis and in space. This kinetic approach is the watch’s most distinctive feature.
