Skip to main content
search

UR-105_CT_lifestyle_night_white.jpg

UWERK’s UR-105 CT Kryptonite Is All About Strong Luminosity

Where URWERK is concerned, it’s always been about a visual display. Similar to MB&F, URWERK prides itself on intricate aesthetics and very detailed mechanics in their movements and layout to create some stunning timepieces. This latest one, the UR-105 CT Kryptonite expands the use of SuperLuminova lighting in the main display to create a very interesting timepiece.

Its name “Kryptonite” derives from the intense green light emitted from the hour markers. But far from having the baleful effect of the mythical meteorite from the D.C. comic universe, it’s a perfect colour match for the watchcase. Its unique octagonal shape with deep grooves along its length suits the night-vision theme of the timepiece. There is also a strong Art Deco influence in its geometric angularity and symmetry, which together with the minimalist overall look of the Kryptonite, gifts a watch that is basically simple yet complex in its design expression.

To work the Kryptonite, one has to slide the catch on the top of the case to reveal the hidden mechanism. Inside, is a wandering hour indication based on a new openwork carousel, which carries what the brand calls “the four satellites”, each bearing three numerals for the hours. The hours successively sweep past the minutes scale for an analogue and digital display of the time.

According to Felix Baumgartner, co-designer on the timpiece, “the UR-105 CT is a watch of an evolved design. When it is closed, it looks austere, with only the time indication visible. Open the cover and you delve into a metallic environment that is quite cold, yet you perceive a notion of speed and an effort at efficiency. The carousel has been completely redesigned with efficiency in mind, becoming ultra-light and ultra-rigid.”

A power-reserve indicator and digital seconds make up the rest of the information displayed on the dial and the digital seconds on the other hand, indicate tens-of-seconds. The mechanism was made using a photolithographic process, with each marker openworked to make it as light as possible apparently, weighing less than a tenth of a gram. Two pneumatic turbines on the back govern the selfwinding rate, which can be set with a lever. There are more quirky details about this Kryptonite URWERK, but we’re trying to see if we can get up close and personal with this timepeice to learn more of it. For now though, it’s just these close up visuals that can tell us about it. What do you think, is it worthy of Superman’s bane? 

Share this:
Close Menu