Urwerk is a watchmaking company, created in 1995 by two brothers, Felix and Thomas Baumgartner, watchmakers, and their friend Martin Frei, an artist and designer. The company, based in Geneva, Switzerland, represents a true future of fine watchmaking. Their creations are pieces with a serious attitude, often crafted in high-tech materials and sculptured in robust asymmetrical form.
The new and unique UR-103 Phoenix is made in white gold and hand decorated by master engraver maker Jean-Vincent Huguenin. The watch is made in a typical Art Déco style that strongly demonstrates the contrast between modernism and tradition. Jean-Vincent Huguenin here skillfully blends symmetry and natural forms to create an ultimately elegant but modern timepiece.
The leading theme is a mystical bird of many ancient civilizations - a phoenix. This sacred firebird can be found in the mythologies of the Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, and Phoenicians. A phoenix has a 500 to 1000 year life-cycle near the end of which it builds a fiery nest to burn inside of it and become reduced to ashes, only to reborn and live again. The phoenix is a symbol of rebirth, immortality and renewal.
In recognition of all those engaged in the battle to save children from muscular dystrophy, the UR-103 sports this symbol of resistance and resilience: A phoenix rising from the flames. "In our daily lives we all have objects that are slightly talismanic," says watch artist and URWERK co-founder Martin Frei. "We love to have them at our side, in touching distance. Without giving them a mystical value, we assign them a virtue, an 'aura'. With this in mind, we have designed the UR-103 as a veritable talisman – a source of energy for its future owner."
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