Quake and quiver. That’s the only way to describe the arrival of URWERK‘s latest beast, the UR-101 T-Rex. It’s not just a watch; it’s a raw, visceral experience, a bronze monolith demanding your attention, and more importantly, your touch. This isn’t about subtle elegance; it’s about primal presence, a tangible connection to the mechanical heart beating within.
URWERK has resurrected the UR-101, imbuing it with the ferocity of the T-Rex lineage. Gone is the smooth, polished surface, replaced by a textured, scaly armor that encases the bezel, sides, and lugs. The signature organic guilloché pattern, typically hidden beneath sapphire crystal, is now exposed, a tactile invitation to explore its intricate depths. It’s a bold move, a deliberate challenge to the senses. The UR-101 T-Rex isn’t content to be admired from afar; it wants to rumble.
“Bronze is a fabulous metal,” explains Martin Frei, URWERK‘s co-founder and artistic director. “It reacts to the touch. It is alive.” This isn’t mere hyperbole. The bronze carapace of the UR-101 T-Rex is a living, breathing entity, oxidizing and regenerating with every scratch, every touch, mirroring the natural process of skin. It’s a testament to URWERK’s commitment to pushing boundaries, to creating watches that are not just timekeepers, but living works of art.
The UR-101 is the third model to receive the T-Rex treatment, its rounded form providing the perfect canvas for the characteristic guilloché pattern. The engraved grooves, flowing from the crown along the case, create a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow, a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship that defines URWERK. This 100-piece limited edition, with its ergonomic design inspired by the Millennium Falcon, is a masterclass in form and substance, surface and depth.
Measuring 41mm in diameter and 11.86mm thick, the UR-101 T-Rex transcends mere numbers. Its curved profile hugs the wrist, finding a natural resting place between the bones, offering a surprisingly comfortable fit. The asymmetrical case, slightly tilted towards the wearer, features a “spoiler” with a crown puller, a nod to the original UR-101, enhancing its unique character.
The bronze case undergoes a meticulous process of guilloché, oxidation, and brushing, resulting in a rich, brown hue that will deepen over time. The engraved scales and lugs, integrated into the case back, further emphasize the watch’s tactile nature. This geometric pattern, first seen on the UR-105 T-Rex, is now writ large, covering the entire surface of the case. “You can touch it. It has an animal, physical, almost visceral power,” says Frei, highlighting the raw, untamed energy of the T-Rex.
Beneath the bronze carapace lies the UR-1.01V caliber, a reinterpretation of URWERK’s original “wandering hours” mechanism. Featuring two satellites, a 180-degree display, and a snailed carousel, this movement is a testament to the brand’s technical prowess. Felix Baumgartner, co-founder and master watchmaker, recalls the challenges of developing the first URWERK movements, the quest to make a carousel 150 times heavier than two hands move isochronically. This spirit of innovation, of pushing the boundaries of horological engineering, remains at the heart of URWERK.
The URWERK universe is a collision of imaginations, a fusion of pop culture, historical references, and cinematic influences. From dinosaur scales to the Millennium Falcon, from 18th-century watchmaking to 21st-century innovation, URWERK seamlessly blends disparate elements into a cohesive, compelling whole. The name itself, evoking Sumerian cities, prehistory, and the very essence of time, reflects the brand’s multifaceted identity.
With the UR-101 T-Rex, URWERK doesn’t just tell time; it gives it shape, texture, and a voice—a roar that echoes through the ages. It’s a watch that demands to be experienced, a testament to the power of design to evoke primal emotions and connect us to the raw, untamed essence of time itself.