Zesty URWERK Knights

The UR-105 TA a.k.a. URWERK Knights is the latest remarkable offering by the innovative Swiss brand known for its avant-garde designs, new indications and complex complications

The UR-105 TA (TA stands for Turbine Automatic) exudes an abundance of precision and refinement – from the carrousel chassis to the dial that is protected with a solid sheet of sapphire crystal – everything is exactly how the brand envisaged it should be. The timepiece does not possess a traditionally round case, nor does it feature hands or a tourbillon, but instead the ingenious piece of technology offers a 100% pure URWERK work of art that is functional in a mesmerising manner.

Keeping in line with the brand’s instantly recognizable iconic satellite indication, the UR-105 TA possesses four satellites, each bearing three hour numerals that sequentially reveal themselves from under a magnificent guilloche black cover in PEEK (polyetheretherketone) as they journey past the minute rail to display the time. As an added feature, the indications on the dial have been treated with Super-LumiNova to ensure optimal reading in dark environments.

The hand-finished watch is driven by a 5.02 UR automatic winding calibre that hums at a steady cadence of 28,800 vibrations per hour, allowing the watch to explode with creativity. Featuring a 48 hour power reserve, the movement is housed in a titanium case with the dimensions measuring 39.50mm in width, 53mm in length and 16.80mm in height that is water resistant to a depth of 30 metres.

The back of the watch reveals a further useful feature where dual air turbines regulate the automatic winding, where the turbines are bead-blasted, satin-finished and treated with black PVD for perfect aesthetics. The winding mode is selected by a small lever, and in the “FULL” position, only the slightest movement is needed to wind up the mainspring. "RED," short for “REDUCED,” moderates the winding so as to minimize excessive tension on the mainspring. On "STOP" mode, the winding system is disabled and the UR-105 TA can then be hand-wound if necessary by the large crown.

The UR-105 TA is available in several options, where each model boasts a sharp zesty colour that is the inspiration of URWERK’s talented eccentric chief designer, Martin Frei. Options include: the UR-105 TA RG, with a black PVD titanium case and a red gold bezel, the UR-105 TA "All Black," with a black PVD titanium case and a black PVD steel bezel, the UR-105 TA "Black Lemon," with a titanium case and a black PVD steel bezel and finally the UR-105 TA "Black Orange,” with a titanium case and black PVD steel bezel. Each model is completed with a matching strap in the same primary colour as the dial.

“The UR-105 TA is our URWERK Knight,” says Martin Frei, artistic director and co-founder of URWERK.  “The UR-105 TA is an Haute Horlogerie creation, with all high-end codes respected, but in the Black Orange or Black Lemon versions, it's their zesty appeal that really arouses the senses.”