In the highly competitive and often traditionalist sphere of independent watchmaking, URWERK has consistently carved out a territory all its own. Since its founding in 1997, the brand has operated less like a company and more like an advanced horological laboratory, dedicated to reimagining the very language of time-telling. Their latest creation, the UR-150 Blue Scorpion, is a potent distillation of this ethos—a mechanical predator that combines aggressive aesthetics with a profoundly complex and theatrical complication. It is a piece that doesn't just display the time; it performs it.
The name URWERK itself is a statement of intent, a fusion of ancient and modern concepts. "Ur" references the ancient Sumerian city where the first units of time were conceived, and in German, it translates to "primeval" or "original." "Werk" is the German word for creation or mechanism. Together, they represent the brand’s mission: to create original movements that honor the origins of time while pushing its mechanical expression into uncharted territory. This philosophy is the shared vision of its co-founders, master watchmaker Felix Baumgartner and chief designer Martin Frei, a partnership that has consistently yielded some of the most avant-garde timepieces of the last quarter-century.
Courtesy of URWERK
Visually, the UR-150 Blue Scorpion is an object of formidable presence. The case, a tonneau-esque shape with powerful, integrated lugs, is crafted from a combination of materials chosen for both their aesthetic and physical properties. The main case middle is fashioned from steel, its surface treated with a variety of finishes. A fine sandblasting gives it a matte, technical look, while a micro-beaded texture adds depth. This is contrasted by a circular satin finish on the top surface of the bezel area, a series of concentric grooves that play with the light and draw the eye inward towards the dial. The flanks of the case also feature a vertical satin brush, adding another layer of visual complexity.
This robust steel structure is bolted to a case back made from Grade 5 titanium. The choice of titanium reduces weight and adds hypoallergenic properties, ensuring comfort despite the watch's substantial dimensions. The case back itself is a work of art, featuring a large sapphire crystal that reveals the mesmerizing dance of the automatic winding system. This isn't just a functional component; it's a core part of the watch's identity. The finishing on the titanium includes sandblasting, micro-beading, and a diamond-satin finish, creating a cohesive and meticulously executed whole. Measuring 42.50mm in width, 51.00mm in length, and 14.80mm in thickness, the UR-150 commands attention on the wrist, yet its sculpted, ergonomic design ensures it remains wearable.
The "Blue Scorpion" identity is most vividly expressed through its dial and the intricate mechanics visible beneath a dramatically domed sapphire crystal. The crystal is not merely a protective cover but a key design element, stretching over the display like a tensed bow, magnifying and distorting the components beneath in a captivating way. The predominant color is a deep, electric blue, achieved through an advanced ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) treatment, which coats the components with a uniform and durable layer of color. This blue is punctuated by sharp, acidic yellow-green accents on the active hour and minute indicators, a high-contrast combination that ensures immediate legibility and evokes the warning colors of a venomous creature.
Courtesy of URWERK
At the very core of the UR-150's character is its breathtaking mechanical show, a genuine satellite complication that URWERK has made its signature. This is not a simple three-hand watch. Instead, time is displayed via three individual hour satellites, each bearing four numerals. These satellites are mounted on a constantly rotating flying carousel. This central structure, crafted from brass and finished with fine sandblasting and micro-beading, is in perpetual motion, carrying the hour satellites in a slow, deliberate orbit around the center of the dial. This constant movement gives the watch a sense of being alive, a dynamic sculpture in constant flux.
The true drama, however, unfolds at the top of each hour. The active satellite, the one indicating the current hour, is framed by a retrograde minute hand. This slender, articulated aluminum arm sweeps across a 240-degree arc at the bottom of the dial, marked from 0 to 60. As the hand progresses, it points to the current minute, providing a clear and intuitive reading. The performance reaches its climax precisely at the 60th minute. In a flash, a sequence of perfectly synchronized events occurs. The retrograde hand snaps back to its starting position at 0 in a movement too quick for the eye to fully register.
Simultaneously with the retrograde jump, the entire assembly of three satellites performs a complex dance. Each of the three satellites pivots on its own axis, and at the same time, the central carousel rotates 270 degrees. This double sequence, happening in what URWERK describes as a hundredth of a second, shuffles the satellites and positions the next one, bearing the new hour, perfectly at the start of the minute track. It is a moment of controlled chaos, a mechanical spectacle that instills a sense of wonder and a slight, thrilling unease, as if the mechanism is momentarily defying physics before resolving itself into perfect order.
Courtesy of URWERK
This complex and perilous ballet is orchestrated by an intricate system of cams and racks, mechanisms inspired by the complex automatons of centuries past, coupled with a modern speed governor. This combination is essential to manage the immense forces at play. It must harness and release the energy for the jump with absolute precision, ensuring that the components do not shatter themselves and that the timing remains accurate. As Felix Baumgartner notes, the goal of this extreme mechanical complexity is, paradoxically, clarity. Every element is designed for legibility, down to the 10-degree tilt of each satellite, which angles the active numeral directly towards the wearer's line of sight.
The retrograde hand itself is a marvel of micro-engineering. It is not a simple pointer but a lightweight, articulated metal skeleton. Its movement is governed by a rack and cam system that performs three critical functions simultaneously. It defines the hand's precise 240-degree trajectory, it synchronizes the jump with the satellite rotation, and it acts as a force multiplier, accumulating the energy needed to power the entire sequence. The design focuses on energy efficiency, with every spring and gear train meticulously calculated to maximize fluidity and minimize power loss from the mainspring.
Powering this intricate machine is the Caliber UR-50.01, an automatic movement that showcases URWERK's commitment to both innovation and fine finishing. It operates at a modern frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), providing a good balance between accuracy and durability, and offers a power reserve of 43 hours. The movement contains 38 jewels, which reduce friction at critical pivot points, ensuring the longevity and smooth operation of its many moving parts.
Courtesy of URWERK
Visible through the exhibition case back is the movement's unique winding system, governed by a pair of twin turbines. These intricate, fan-like structures in vibrant blue are not merely decorative. They act as air brakes, connected to the winding rotor. Their purpose is to regulate the winding speed, protecting the mechanism from the excessive stress and wear that can be caused by overly aggressive movements of the wearer's arm. It is a sophisticated solution to a real-world watchmaking problem, executed with URWERK's typical mechanical flair. The rotor itself is made of brass with sandblasted and perlage finishing, another example of the detailed craftsmanship applied even to hidden components.
The materials used throughout the movement speak to a high-tech approach. The hour satellites are machined from lightweight aluminum to reduce inertia, which is critical for their rapid pivoting. The wheels are produced using the LIGA process, an advanced technique that allows for the creation of components with extreme precision and perfect shapes, far beyond what traditional machining can achieve. The finishing is immaculate, with black-polished Grade 5 titanium screw heads and generous applications of hand-painted Super-LumiNova® on the markers, flying carousel, and oscillating mass, ensuring the spectacle is just as impressive in low-light conditions.
The case construction is an exercise in precision. The use of a steel case middle provides a sense of heft and robustness, while the Grade 5 titanium back offers lightness and comfort. The combination creates a balanced feel on the wrist. Water resistance is rated at 5 atmospheres, or 50 meters, and is assured by a screw-down crown. While not a dive watch, this provides ample protection against daily encounters with water, making the UR-150 a surprisingly practical piece of horological art.
Completing the seamless, integrated design is a high-performance hybrid rubber strap. The strap is not an afterthought but a crucial part of the overall ergonomic concept. It flows directly from the case lugs, creating a continuous line that wraps around the wrist. The outer surface features a detailed, textured pattern resembling a sophisticated weave, while the underside is designed for comfort and airflow. The strap is highly adjustable and secured with a folding clasp, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit for a variety of wrist sizes.
Courtesy of URWERK
The URWERK UR-150 Blue Scorpion is a machine that fully embodies the "killer blockbuster" persona the brand ascribes to it. It is bold, mechanically audacious, and visually arresting. It pushes the boundaries of how time can be represented, transforming a simple reading into a dynamic, engaging performance. The name "Blue Scorpion" perfectly captures its essence: the vibrant blue hue, the silent tension of the mechanism building towards the top of the hour, and the lightning-fast "sting" of the retrograde hand as it strikes.
This masterpiece of avant-garde horology is, unsurprisingly, an exclusive creation. The URWERK UR-150 Blue Scorpion is a limited edition of just 50 pieces worldwide. This scarcity ensures that each owner possesses a rare piece of mechanical art, a testament to the creative genius of Baumgartner and Frei. The price is set at CHF 90,000, excluding taxes, a figure that reflects the immense research, development, and hand-craftsmanship invested in every single component of this extraordinary timepiece. For the collector who values innovation and mechanical spectacle above all else, the Blue Scorpion offers an unparalleled experience.
Case: Steel case middle and Grade 5 titanium case back with sandblasted, micro-beaded, and satin finishes. Dimensions: 42.50mm width × 51.00mm length × 14.80mm thickness. Domed sapphire crystal. Water resistance of 5 ATM (50m) with a screw-down crown.
Movement: Caliber UR-50.01, automatic winding system governed by a double turbine. 38 jewels, 43-hour power reserve, and a frequency of 28,800 vph (4 Hz). Features aluminum satellites on a brass carousel with a blue ALD color treatment.
Dial: Displays satellite hours and retrograde minutes on a 240° arc. Features hand-painted Super-LumiNova® on the hours, minutes markers, and flying carousel.
Strap: Blue high-performance hybrid rubber strap, adjustable with a folding clasp.
Price: CHF 90,000.00 (excluding tax).
Notes: Limited edition of 50 pieces. The complication features a flying carousel with three pivoting hour satellites and a retrograde minute hand that performs a lightning-fast return. At the top of the hour, the satellites pivot and the carousel rotates in a synchronized sequence lasting a hundredth of a second.