Urwerk UR-105 CT Iron
Basic Info
Listing code : LMG482
Brand : Urwerk
Model : UR-105
Reference number : UR-105
Movement : Automatic
Case material : Steel
Bracelet material : Leather
Year of production : 2018
Condition : Used (Very good)
Scope of delivery : Original box, original papers
Gender : Men's watch/Unisex
Location : United Kingdom, London
Price : 36,900
Availability : Item is in stock
Caliber
Movement : Automatic
Caliber/movement : UR 5.03
Case
Case material : Steel
Case diameter : 39.5 x 53 mm
Bezel material : Steel
Crystal : Sapphire crystal
Dial : Grey
Dial numerals : Arabic numerals
Bracelet/strap
Bracelet material : Leather
Bracelet color : Black
Clasp : Buckle
Clasp material : Steel
Other
Limited Edition
The UR-105 CT Iron is inspired by the streamliner aesthetic of the skyscrapers in the Big Apple, gleaming in the sunshine during the day. The UR-105 Black, conversely, imagines the same view in the dark. The UR-105 CT Kryptonite, with its lavish use of C3 Super-LuMinova, represents a view akin to the one you’d expect of Gotham City in the vintage Batman comic books Frei so enjoyed as a young child.
This UR-105 CT Iron features a stainless steel bezel and retractable, hunter-style hatch, with the caseback forged from titanium. This is a material the brand favours for its casebacks, not just for the weight savings but also for the hypoallergenic properties of titanium. The case measures 39.5mm wide and 53mm long. At its thickest point it stands just over 17mm tall, tapering gently down towards the time display. The stainless steel bezel features many details and facets. On top and in profile, the bezel is high polished, while the angled facet separating these two parts is media blasted, with the same treatment applied to the many cut out architectural details on the case.
Sitting atop the angular, targa-style sapphire display is a retractable hatch, with streamlined details. The high polish of the hatch is punctuated by the media blasted finishing on these ruts. The hatch is opened by a fluted pusher that is integrated into the island around which the sapphire crystal is shaped, and it sits flush with the case profile. The fluted detail is a considered choice, aiding the operation of the spring-loaded pusher.
Opening the hatch reveals the extensively skeletonised canopy atop the four cones of the wandering hours. In keeping with the silvered streamliner appearance of the case, the polyether ether ketone (PEEK) canopy also wears a similar shade. Even the hour ‘cones’ have been reduced to their elemental structure. They wear a blackened appearance with the hours achieved in luminous material. The arc of the minutes display is also similarly done, aiding night-time readability. Underneath the wandering hours are the cams which enable the dance of the cones. At this level is a mirror-finished wheel indicates the passing seconds digitally in increments of 10. The digits are punched out. This is an aesthetic choice and together with the skeletonised, honeycomb-style detail of the central portion of the seconds wheel, makes the arrangement lightweight but strong.
While such an indicator might seem unusual for a watch powered by the self-winding UR-5.03, based on the Zenith Elite calibre, this makes sense given another innovation the brand has championed. By way of a lever integrated in the caseback, the wearer can control the winding efficiency of the rotor. The rotor has a toothed rim that is coupled to twin turbines that are visible on the caseback. The 'full’ rotor speed position is designed for when the wearer is sedentary, and the rotor needs to work at capacity to keep the mainspring replenished. The 'reduced' position is ideal for light activity, while in case of vigorous activity, such as when playing a physical sport, the rotor’s winding action can be blocked completely, effectively turning it into a manually wound movement. This is done to prevent the rotor from wildly spinning, especially in the non-winding direction, putting strain on the bearings that anchor it.
The UR-105 CT Iron comes on two alligator-grained leather straps, secured to the case by screws. The watch comes as a full set with its full set of box and paperwork, including the original bill of sale of 2018. It represents a sleek iteration of the UR-105 aesthetic, inspired by the time Frei spent in New York City when designing the UR-103. It is fitting then that UR-105 CT, successor to the UR-103, pays hommage to this early period in the brand's story. 
