URWERK UR-101 T-Rex

Urwerk is known for pursuing some core themes throughout their history. One is how collectors interact with their timepieces through a variety of novel creations – the ability to switch from automatic to manual movement, the ability to change the resistance of the turbine rotors, the ability  to track time against the next required service. Another theme is armor, novel designs to better protect timepieces against the elements. This comes in many forms, but most prominently in the brand’s “T-Rex” timepieces. First released with the UR-105 and then with the UR-100, Urwerk brings the beloved T-Rex armor to the UR-101 in its latest release before Watches & Wonders 2025. 

We spoke with Martin Frei, co-founder of Urwerk alongside Felix Baumgartner, ages ago about the origins of the T-Rex design. Inspired by one of the most traditional finishes in watchmaking, guillochage, this blown-up, macro guilloché exists to provide more robust protection against hard impacts and scratching. While it appears scaly, rough, and organic, the T-Rex is remarkably soft to touch with its brushed finish. Here, there’s an interesting juxtaposition between how the eye perceives the case and its tactile experience. With the UR-101 T-Rex, the engraved grooves originate at the crown, running along the entire case in a low-gradient climb. Bending to cover the lugs, the curvature of this timepiece ensures that it fits snug and comfortable on the wrist. 

The UR-101 is a reinterpretation of the original Urwerk timepiece. It’s a return to the roots, featuring two satellites, a 180-degree display and a solid, snailed carousel. This is a new expression of the brand’s hallmark revolving satellite time display. Much more compact and sleek than other timepieces, it’s the most “wearable” Urwerk creation for those with smaller wrists or in search of something more low profile. 

Limited to 100, this UR-101 is another opportunity for collectors in love with Urwerk’s T-Rex’s aesthetic to own a piece of the brand’s history.