Urban Jürgensen is a historic watchmaking house with deep roots in Danish design and Swiss horological precision. Founded in Copenhagen in 1773 by Jürgen Jürgensen, the brand rose to prominence under his son, Urban Jürgensen. His exceptional skill in creating scientific instruments and marine chronometers for the Danish Navy, combined with an elegant Scandinavian design sensibility, earned the maison the prestigious title of official watchmaker to the Danish royal court. Through generations, the brand has been synonymous with meticulous craftsmanship, influencing the world of watchmaking, including a celebrated period from the 1980s to the 2000s under the leadership of Peter Baumberger and the technical genius of watchmaker Derek Pratt.
The brand has recently entered a new era under new family ownership and the leadership of Co-CEOs Kari Voutilainen, one of the world's most respected independent watchmakers, and Alex Rosenfield, a former fashion and media executive. This relaunch combines over 250 years of heritage with a contemporary vision. Voutilainen oversees the technical and design aspects, introducing new in-house movements, while Rosenfield guides the creative direction, strategy, and global vision. Their shared goal is to uphold the brand's independence and legacy of excellence while engaging a new generation of collectors with the core belief that time, when kept and spent beautifully, becomes truly meaningful.
This new chapter is marked by the debut of the 2025 collection, which exemplifies the brand's commitment to "Haute Horlogerie." The collection features three new models with proprietary movements. The UJ-1 is a tribute to the iconic Derek Pratt Oval Pocket Watch, successfully miniaturizing its complex tourbillon with a remontoir d’égalité and dead-beat seconds into a wristwatch. The UJ-2 is a refined three-hand watch featuring a highly efficient double-wheel natural escapement. The UJ-3 is a perpetual calendar that integrates a double-wheel natural escapement with a precise moon phase indication developed by Andreas Strehler, accurate for 14,000 years. This new direction is further captured in their "Time Well Spent" portrait series, a collaboration with photographer Ellen von Unwerth, which moves beyond traditional watch advertising to celebrate individuals deeply engaged in their passions.