URWERK turns to white for the UR-230 Polaris after years of black and grey, in a ceramic the brand developed for itself so that it would not shatter.
URWERK today introduces the UR-230 Polaris, limited to 35 pieces. It is the second model in the 230 series, a year after the UR-230 Eagle, crafted entirely in TPT carbon.
The case is a layered composite: woven ceramic sheets and fibreglass plies in a polymer base, with white resin and light silver fibreglass. Machining reveals the stacked layers, which shift from full matte to a slight glow.
“So we decided to develop a ceramic, by and for ourselves. Thanks to the glass fibers it contains, it doesn’t break,” says Felix Baumgartner, master watchmaker and co-founder of URWERK.
The hours travel on URWERK’s revolving satellites, carried by a 3D retrograde minute hand that returns to 0 after 60 minutes. Inside is the automatic calibre UR-7.30, protected by turbine shock absorbers that URWERK calls a world first. A rotating knob on the back sets an air brake that adjusts the winding.
Martin Frei, co-founder and chief designer, says the white case and black movement recall 2001: A Space Odyssey and the Apollo 11 aesthetic.
The Basics
Brand: URWERK
Model: UR-230 Polaris
Dimensions: 44.81mm wide × 53.55mm long
Thickness: 18.38mm
Case material: White ceramic composite, developed in collaboration with URWERK; black DLC-treated titanium case back
Dial: Wandering hours on revolving satellites; 3D retrograde minutes; hand-painted Super-LumiNova markers
Water resistance: 30m (3 ATM)
Strap: White vulcanised rubber, “Kiska” reference; Velcro closure
Limited edition: 35 pieces
The Movement
Calibre: UR-7.30, developed by URWERK
Functions: Wandering hours, 3D retrograde minutes, air brake winding regulation, winding on/off indicator
Winding: Automatic, adjustable; rotor can be disengaged for manual winding
Power reserve: 48 hours
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz)
Jewels: 50
Images courtesy of URWERK.