Urwerk UR-100V Time and Culture II Sumer Watch Review
The Urwerk UR-100V Time and Culture II Sumer pays homage to the Mesopotamian civilisation, in particular the city of Ur. Back in 3000 BC, the Sumerians, the inhabitants of Ur, conceived the idea of 60 seconds and 60 minutes that we continue to use today. Despite looking to ancient history for inspiration, Urwerk has produced another futuristic expression of Haute Horlogerie. US-based journalist, Meehna Goldsmith, a self-confessed devotee of the brand, takes readers on a fascinating journey of horological discovery.
Urwerk Watch Review
The 1990s won’t be remembered as the last word in style. It was an era when mood rings, high-tops and sandals with socks were considered fashionable. Personally, I could just write off the ‘90s as bland and in bad taste, but there is something that gives me cause for thought. Indeed, I can’t disregard the ‘90s altogether, because 1997 was a very special year.
What happened in 1997 that made it so remarkable? That’s when Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei presented Urwerk to the world with the debut of the UR-101 and UR-102 at the Académie Horlogère Des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI). Something very different had landed on the horology scene. In a case inspired by Han Solo’s flying jalopy, the UR-101 and UR-102 reinterpreted how to tell time. A traveling hour arced across the top half of the case resembling a mini satellite or planet captured in motion against the sky. This creation reimagined Haute Horlogerie, using traditional techniques while wrapping it in a futuristic design. These inaugural models were different, intriguing, and opened up a new frontier for watchmakers to play with case shapes and time indicators.
Urwerk design
In 2003, Urwerk followed up with the UR-103, in what became a trademark design. The watch still resembled a flying saucer, but the case was asymmetrical, the top half a square flowing into a semi-circle. In addition, the forward-facing, three-dimensional cone-shaped hour satellites were relocated in a curving arc below. Over the years, Urwerk has built incredibly imaginative canvases, always with Haute Horlogerie behind the scenes driving the action.
Urwerk UR-100 SpaceTime
The cosmos has consistently been a recurrent theme in Urwerk’s design aesthetic. In 2019, the brand unveiled the UR-100 SpaceTime, a watch that bears more than a passing resemblance to the UR-101 but with a sleeker profile and souped-up mechanics. The wandering hours, presented on a three-arm carousel, features a red mark that points to the minutes display.
But there’s another cool complication that orients the Earth’s place in the universe. Instead of the hour disc moving offstage after 60 minutes, the red pointer stays visible and marks two different sectors. The first tracks the number of kilometres the Earth has rotated at the equator during a 20-minute interval, up to 477.29 km. The next exhibits the number of kilometres the Earth has travelled along its orbit, totalling 35,740 km per 20-minute period.
Urwerk UR-100V Time and Culture I
Further expanding the SpaceTime concept, Urwerk introduced the UR-100V Time and Culture I in 2022. The concept of this line is to explore the perception of time through the ages and cultures. This first piece delved into Central America around 1479 when the Aztecs reigned. Taking the UR-100V as its base, the Time and Culture I placed an engraved cover under the crystal with an Aztec motif taken from the Sun Stone.
Urwerk UR-100V Time and Culture II Sumer – background
The Time and Culture II, aka the ‘Sumer’, delves into Mesopotamia, specifically the city of Ur. This city has special significance for Urwerk, because it inspired its name. Over 6,000 years ago in 3000 BC, the Sumerians of Ur devised a system that laid the foundations of timekeeping. They defined increments of 60 that represent seconds and minutes, a timekeeping system we still use today. The second half of the brand name comes from the word “werk,” which encompasses a host of meanings around the concept of work, from creation to evolution.
The ‘Sumer’ honours the ancient Sumerian civilisation through its mythology, astronomy, astrology and time measurement. The god of the sun features prominently on the cover under the crystal in its original form seen 2,000 years ago. But, the depiction comes with a modern twist of a four-pointed sun that represents the four cardinal points, which is laser-engraved on the covering.
In addition, authentic sky charts and planispheres are also engraved around the edges of the case. So fine is the detail that to get the full experience a magnifying glass is a must. You’ll see the finishing of the motif is satin-brushed on the ridges, while the hollow space is micro-sandblasted, offering depth and character. Every detail is considered and part of the ‘Sumer’s’ narrative, including the colour of the case. The blue of the ‘Sumer’ references lapis lazuli, a stone linked to Inana, goddess of love, war and fertility. A careful examination between the lugs reveals the moon god Nanna, patron divinity of Ur.
Urwerk UR-100V Time and Culture II Sumer – a limited-edition
The ‘Sumer’, in a limited edition of 30, comes in a 41 mm stainless steel and titanium case and has a power reserve of 48 hours. Hours and minutes are coated in SuperLumiNova for an otherworldly glow in low-light conditions. As you would expect, the movement is traditionally finished with circular graining, sanding, shot-blasting, circular satin finishing and chamfered screw heads.
Urwerk UR-100V Time and Culture II Sumer – closing thoughts
The ‘Sumer’ is a remarkable piece that not only tells a story but pays homage to a civilisation that created our notion of time. It’s a symphony of different parts that adds up to a triumph of horology.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: Urwerk UR-100V Time and Culture II Sumer
- Case: titanium and steel, width 41.0 mm, length 49.7 mm, thickness 14.0 mm, water resistance 3ATM (30 metres) sapphire crystal to the front
- Functions: satellite hours, minutes, ‘rotational distance at the city of Ur in 20 minutes’, orbital distance in 20 minutes
- Movement: UR 12.02 Caliber, automatic movement, frequency 28,800 VpH (4Hz), 40 jewels, power reserve 48 hours
- Strap: Baltimore with pin buckle
- Price: CHF 72,000 excluding taxes (RRP as of 4.11.2023)
- Limited Edition: 30 pieces