URWERK UR-120 Blue Planet

When we discussed the retirement of the UR-105, we knew that there was something on the horizon for URWERK. When Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner, co-founders of the brand, close one door, they always open one. In 2023, that timepiece was the UR-120 “Spock” – a spectacularly complex evolution of the brand’s iconic satellite display of time. Now, after two previous iterations, URWERK returns with what it calls the final transmission from the cosmos: the UR-120 Blue Planet.

Bringing an entirely new satellite display of time, each hour satellite splits open to reveal two rectangular studs. They take on a V shape, recreating the Vulcan salute that ultimately gave the original UR-120 its nickname. Once separated, both studs spin on their own axis and close again, all in order to display the next hour unit. No easy task, Felix Baumgartner explained that managing the opening sequence and rotational energy of the satellites required an immense amount of development. The solution came through a combination of Maltese cross mechanisms, an in-house manufactured lyre-shaped spring, and the self-winding Calibre UR-20.01. The carousel alone consists of 175 components, all working together with micron-level precision.

For those who follow and love URWERK, this is exactly what Martin and Felix do best. They continually refine and challenge their established design language while remaining unmistakably URWERK. With the UR-120, the brand moved toward a smoother, thinner, and more ergonomic case architecture. Measuring 44 mm long, 47 mm wide, and 15.8 mm thick, the watch features a seamless two-part construction inspired by the protective shell of a spacecraft. The upper case is entirely free of visible screws, while a domed sapphire crystal draws the eye toward the animated display below.

For its final chapter, the UR-120 embraces a striking new aesthetic. Deep blue tones evoke Earth viewed from orbit, while 24K yellow-gold PVD-coated components highlight the movement’s active elements, drawing attention to the points where energy is stored, released, and transformed into motion. The result is a watch that feels less like an instrument and more like a futuristic vessel suspended between science fiction and haute horlogerie.

Limited to just 20 pieces, the UR-120 Blue Planet serves as a fitting farewell to one of URWERK’s most inventive creations. For one last time, the satellites open, the Vulcan salute appears beneath the sapphire crystal, and the UR-120 disappears into the blue.