By Jovan Krstevski
Four years ago, the original UR–110 was released and it won the 2011 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève prize for “Best Design Watch.” The UR–110 is practically an allusion of a mechanical spaceship design or simply a space-themed watch. The redesigned Urwerk UR–110 Eastwood is now primed for more space themed adventures. I’m pretty glad someone designed such a watch because it is truly out of this world or rather hyper-radical.
So what exactly changed? Well, don’t expect radical changes because the essential parts remain the same except the designers managed to infuse earthly touch to a space-centric design. The timepiece sports a new Macassar ebony and the Red Ivory wood bezel mounted on a fancy tweed strap. The timepiece combines the latest tech with a bit of a vintage proportion. Nonetheless, the radical timekeeping of the UR–110 is not for everyone because an outsider’s natural impression is much like looking at one of Inspector Gadget’s stuff.
The case impression is a testament to its name. This is where the vintage touch is obvious; the Indonesian Macassar ebony bezel including the South African Red Ivory wood bezel are mounted on a large Grade 5 Titanium case (47mm x 51mm x 16mm). What’s with the timber? It’s the hardest timber known to man and complimented by an exceptionally strong titanium, you basically get a combo of nature’s best stuff. Everything you see on the case is out of this world. The lugs and the crown have been radically positioned, making you think what in the world were they thinking when they were building this timepiece. The effect however is blatant uniqueness that sends chills to traditional horology fans.
The Eastwood’s dial is protected by a panoramic sapphire crystal. Time telling is actually simple, guided by orbiting satellite complications. It shows time on the right side, far from the typical centered approach. Three hour satellites follow a vertically arced line, graded from 0 to 60 minutes, in a downward fashion. At the center is the main carousel providing support for the planetary gearings each holding the three counter-rotating hour modules; hour satellite, minute hand and counter balance. Unique to the new design is the featured Control Board mounted on the side of the dial indicating services like the “Day/Night” and “Oil Change” warnings. The seconds are shown on a separate sub-dial positioned to the left.
Another radical approach to power management is the application of the feature rich and single barrel UR 9.01 mechanical, automatic winding movement. The winding system is made of uni-directional rotor regulated by double turbines capable of delivering 39 hours of power reserve. The dual turbines can be seen through the specifically designed glass patches on the titanium caseback.
Perhaps, the most noticeable update is the inclusion of a strap made of a special tweed fabric in collaboration with the renowned bespoke tailor Timothy Everest. It beats me why the sudden change from a more “acceptable” leather strap or a titanium bracelet to a fabric one. Well, the choice is made easy by the tweed’s exceptional durability favored by Britain’s upper class. Like it or not, the UR–110 Eastwood’s radical time-telling is actually worth experiencing. For more info, please visit urwerk.com
Jovan Krstevski – Founder, Proprietor & Executive Editor
Watch collector, aficionado and an Event profile in the Swedish nightlife. He launched Watchgeek back in 2011, which is now known as WristReview and is one of the most widely read watch blogs on the Web. He quotes ’WristReview is a site to help people find, explore, discover and enjoy wristwatches.’ His passion jump started in his early teens, when he was given his first mid-range wristwatch which was an Omega Seamaster. Since then he has always been in love with wristwatches! Besides WristReview, he also writes for a number of publications. Read his articles here.
