Author: CronotempVs Collectors

URWERK’s UR-100 “C-3PO”

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

…a spark shot out of the ether. Radio telescopes reveal that the shining golden object hurtling toward earth appears to be trying to communicate, emitting signals in six million languages. Could it be C-3PO, the protocol droid in the Star Wars saga? No, it is URWERK’s new yellow gold UR-100! This UR-100 also carries a message, but can communicate in the universal languages of the galaxies using light, time, space. But while C-3PO is often irritating and clumsy, albeit extremely polite, the UR-100 awakens six million forms of desire with horological daring and disruptive watchmaking.

URWERK's UR-100 "C-3PO"
UR-100 C-3PO

This new creation is the fourth episode in the UR-100 intergalactic saga, recounting the adventures of an atypical time instrument written, produced, and directed by the horological studio URWERK. Approaching light speed, the UR-100 pushes the boundaries of technology, design, indications, and functionality.

“Science fiction has been an inexhaustible source of inspiration since the creation of URWERK,” explains co-founder Martin Frei. “I have been a sci-fi geek since childhood. My father was an engineer and worked on incredible projects, including the Apollo Lunar Rover. He was my hero and left me his love of the cosmos and his dreams. ”

First and foremost, the UR-100 is slim – extra-flat for a satellite-geared watch – with angular contours; it’s an elongated octagon with three notched sides. The form uses subtle asymmetry, taking clues from Han Solo’s Millennium Falcon. This UR-100 is cut from a solid block of 2N yellow gold, its surface satin-finished to the same pale shine as the Star Wars droid. Topping the case is a sapphire crystal bubble reminiscent of the shape of the first URWERK models, the dome housing the control center of this intergalactic visitor.

The UR-100’s astrophysics govern the URWERK universe with rotating satellites displaying the hours and minutes. Isochronal revolutions create a miniature cosmic ballet, the hour satellites also displaying minutes as they traverse 120 degrees across the bright green scale. A bold red arrowhead marks the confluence of hours and minutes, offering a unique, highly legible, and intuitive time display. Even while maneuvering at light speed, the automatic winding system is never overloaded thanks to the Windfänger’s regulation of the oscillating mass: this planetary gear limits the speed of rotation of the rotor, minimizing both excessive winding and wear and maximizing reliability and lifespan.

And last, but certainly not least, are the discreet spacetime indications on each side of the top of the dome’s periphery, which are both essential for intergalactic voyages and unique on planet earth. After each of the three red minute arrowheads pass the numeral 60 they disappear and then reappear again on two separate kilometer scales. The first display at 9 o’clock marks the 555 km traveled along the equator during 20 minutes of the earth’s rotation, the second display at 3 o’clock indicates the distance – 35,740 kilometers – traveled by the earth as it orbits the around the sun over 20 minutes. Spacetime never looked so good; Einstein would be proud!

While Star Wars’ famous C-3PO protocol droid is fanatical about respecting rules and conventions, the UR-100 « C-3PO » is fanatical about breaking rules and conventions. As the original C-3PO was reconstructed from heaps of scrap metal on the planet Tatooine, the UR-100 was meticulously assembled from high precision components in Geneva. And just as the lovable golden droid has cemented its place in the collective imagination of science fiction lovers, URWERK’s golden UR-100 carves out its own niche in the hearts of sci-watch aficionados.

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The A. Lange & Söhne ODYSSEUS

The ODYSSEUS opens up a new chapter for A. Lange & Söhne

The A. Lange & Söhne ODYSSEUS lays the foundation for a further watch family: the sixth one. For the first regularly produced timepiece in stainless steel, the Saxon watchmakers developed a tailor-made self-winding movement with a large day-of-week and date display.

The A. Lange & Söhne ODYSSEUS is a sporty-elegant watch for people who admire fine watchmaking but live active lives. The prominent design of the stainless-steel case with a diameter of 40.5 millimetres and a height of 11.1 millimetres, featuring an integrated stainless-steel bracelet, embraces traditional brand elements and reinterprets them. This applies particularly to the sculpted, slightly cantilevered middle band of the three-part case. Its surfaces are decorated with a satin contour finish and the edges are emphasised with a chamfer. The combination of brushed surfaces and chamfered edges is echoed on the lugs and links of the massive stainless-steel bracelet. Specially sealed, tapered buttons for correcting the date and the day of week are arranged at 2 and 4 o’clock.

The ODYSSEUS is the first Lange watch with a water-resistant case and a screw-down crown, exposed to a test pressure of 12 bar.

New watch family

Today, A. Lange & Söhne has five watch families: LANGE 1, SAXONIA, 1815, RICHARD LANGE and ZEITWERK. The ODYSSEUS is a new face that introduces a sixth watch family. And as usual at Lange, it is endowed not only with a distinctive design but also with a newly developed movement.

Date and day-of-week display

What first meets the eye on the dark-blue dial is the day-of-week and date display. Located on the right, the Lange outsize date in the classic double aperture is complemented with an equally large day-of-week display on the left. The outer verticals of the frames echo the curvature of the bezel. A typical Lange font is used for both displays, though here, the numerals and letters are white against a blue background. The newly developed mechanism consists of 99 individual parts.

Three-dimensional dial

The dial is made of brass and has several levels with different surfaces. Just like the outer scale of the subsidiary seconds dial, the notched baton appliques made of white gold lie above concentric lines, a technique called azurage. They contrast against the grained inner surfaces of the main and subsidiary dial. A bevelled, argenté-coloured flange ring with a printed minute scale frames the dial. The number 60, printed in red at 12 o’clock, provides a colourful accent. In the ODYSSEUS, the brand-typical lancet-shaped hands for hours and minutes are more prominent than in other watches of the manufactory. Just like the inner surfaces of the baton appliques, they are luminous.

Adjustable steel bracelet

The stainless-steel bracelet is eminently comfortable to wear. Its length can be adjusted in small steps up to 7 millimetres thanks to a safety deployant buckle. By pressing the pusher embossed with the Lange signature the bracelet can be pulled or pushed to adjust the desired length. It is not necessary to open the buckle. If required, the bracelet can also be extended by adding further links.

Movement for an active lifestyle

For the ODYSSEUS, A. Lange & Söhne developed the new L155.1 DATOMATIC manufacture calibre. The name DATOMATIC visible on the rotor stands for the date mechanism combined with automatic winding. With a diameter of 32.9 millimetres, the movement – visible through the sapphire-crystal caseback – completely fills the case. It features a unidirectionally winding central rotor with a centrifugal mass in platinum. Thanks to the skeletonisation of the rotor further details of the manually executed, lavish finissage of the movement can be observed.

New escapement

When fully wound, the mainspring barrel delivers a maximum power reserve of 50 hours. To guarantee high rate accuracy regardless of external factors, the new self-winding calibre operates at a frequency of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 hertz). The newly designed balance is regulated with four countersunk poising screws that are flush with the outside of the balance-wheel rim. This design reduces turbulence despite the higher frequency. Together with the freely oscillating balance spring made in-house, the minimised air resistance has a positive impact on the movement’s rate accuracy and energy efficiency.

Bridge instead of balance cock

The oscillation system of the A. Lange & Söhne ODYSSEUS is held by a balance wheel bridge secured at two points. It is manually engraved with a wave motif. Other movement decorations also express the concept of combining traditional facets with new ones. All frame parts of the calibre L155.1 DATOMATIC are made of German silver. Additionally, elements of the rotor were black-rhodiumed. In accordance with the A. Lange & Söhne philosophy, the entire movement is elaborately finished by hand and assembled twice. A further typical Lange hallmark, a screwed gold chaton secures the upper bearing jewel of the escape-wheel arbor. It also marks the position of the escapement and places a traditional accent, right there where the heart of the watch beats.

Más información…

The URWERK UR105-CC Event

This past April 13th, the URWERK UR105-CC event has been celebrated on schedule at the Castillo de Arteaga near Bilbao, Spain. We at CronotempVs Collectors would like to thank URWERK for making this unique moment possible and especially Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei for personally delivering the UR105-CC to its proud owners to make this a unique experience.

The setting chosen for the delivery was the stunning Castillo de Arteaga located 45 minutes from Bilbao, Spain. As many would already know the Basque country in Spain is an extraordinary culinary experience for all gastronomic connoisseurs.

The event started at noon with a tasting of local wines at the castles private cellar followed by a lunch.

Fortunate owners or the UR105-CC came from all over the world to share this special moment with CronotempVs Collectors. People not only from Madrid, Barcelona but also from Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Moscow, Montecarlo, Amsterdam…. Every watch was delivered to each owner by Felix and Martin in person.

To finish that extraordinary moment we all enjoyed a great afternoon with Martin and Felix. We at CronotempVs Collectors could not be more proud to have shared this special moment with two of the most relevant figures in horology of the last 20 years.

The URWERK UR105-CC…

URWERK “UR105-CC” by SKULLY

By now most fortunate owners have received the “little” invitation to the official delivery event. Presenting the URWERK “UR105-CC” by SKULLY invitation.

This 4.5L Gin bottle has been numbered and matched to each individual owner of the URWERK UR105-CC. The instructions and details as to the delivery event will only be disclosed to the fortunate owners of the watch. For this occasion SKULLY Gin has created a unique “hand Made” bottle as a very special invitation to attend the delivery event. Numbered 1 to 15 like the watches. There is no doubt that the URWERK “UR105-CC” by SKULLY invitation will set a precedent.

We, at CronotempVs Collectors, are very excited to share this very special moment with URWERK and what is our first project.

SKULLY GIN oriental citrus brings the fragrant and exotic taste of the orient to your glass.

Inspired by fresh fruits and botanicals from the orient, this citrus-based gin bursts with flavour. The use of yuzu fruit combined with traditional gin botanicals makes this gin both refreshing and exceptionally smooth. Skully Oriental Citrus is the perfect base for a fresh Gin & Tonic or Martini and for cocktails like a Thai Tonic or Singapore Sling. For Skully Oriental Citrus & Tonic we recommend Fever Tree tonic water or Thomas Henri tonic water.

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Bell & Ross “BR-X1 White Hawk & BR-X1 Tourbillon”

Bell & Ross, the ultimate reference in aeronautical watches, presents its BR-X1 White Hawk line. Its name in French, Faucon Blanc, evokes dreams and travels. These two models with sophisticated watchmaking finishes take inspiration from the colors of private jets.

The excellence of business aircrafts is the result of innovative technologies taken from the design and manufacture processes of fighter jets. The BR-X1 and the BR-X1 Tourbillon White Hawk are totally revolutionary in their construction. These precious measuring instruments combine Bell & Ross’ extremely virile aesthetic codes with the technical refinement of its high-end watchmaking.

On these models, the grade 5 titanium cases are covered with a white ceramic «belt». Titanium is micro-blasted and ceramic is matte to avoid reflections caused by light. The white and grey of the case depict the colors of the most beautiful private jets. The push buttons are made of high-tech ceramic with rubber inserts to optimize their grip and strength. A rubber button grip insert is also built into the case at 9 o’clock to enhance the activation of the chronograph’s functions and a red rim highlights them for optimal readability. This fundamental complication enables short time measurements and is an indispensable tool for air navigation.

Ultra-masculine, the framework of these new generation all-terrain timepieces provides a sophisticated and contemporary expression thanks to its singular color range and pioneering design that reveal Bell & Ross’ expertise.

X1 WHITE HAWK

Bell & Ross “BR-X1 Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire”

The launch of the BR-X1 CHRONOGRAPH TOURBILLON SAPPHIRE last year marked a new chapter in the Bell & Ross saga. A new watchmaking adventure that emphasizes concepts like high-tech, creativity, superior mechanical performance and, therefore, seduction. Today, Bell & Ross continues to stretch the boundaries of fine watchmaking by creating an exceptional new model, the BR-X1 SKELETON TOURBILLON SAPPHIRE that takes the challenge of transparency to the extreme.

In addition to its top performance, the sapphire gives it uniqueness and beauty. The sapphire case is a bit like an X-ray image that lets us visualize its structure and understand its assembly by allowing the eyes to gaze freely into the heart of the movement. By revealing the soul of this one-of-a-kind watch, the spectacle becomes magical.

The hour counter is off-centered and positioned above the barrel for releasing the tourbillon’s cage and further revealing the mechanical beauty of the movement. Bell & Ross has designed a flying tourbillon that seems to float in weightlessness. This gives the powerful timepiece even more magic. Heir to traditional watchmaking techniques, but highly contemporary in its design and finishes, the work of the skeleton reduces mechanics to the essential for the splendor of translucency.

This exceptional watch, launched in a limited edition of 8 pieces, is made from 5 sapphire blocks that were carefully carved before assembling them accurately and delicately with screws. It combines the fundamental codes of the brand with the greatest technical and aesthetic refinement.

The BR-X1 SKELETON TOURBILLON SAPPHIRE succeeds in unveiling the secrets of time.

Bell & Ross “VINTAGE GARDE-CÔTES”

THE SEA RESCUER’S WATCH

Bell & Ross has a passion for the military world and its codes. Since its inception, the watch company has considered those who serve in the military to be heroes. The brand shares the values of performance and excellence with these men and women and has enlisted their expertise to develop timepieces with optimal functionality.

This year, further pursuing this strategy, Bell & Ross pays tribute to professionals who rescue at sea and, more specifically, to its helicopter pilots and divers, with two instruments designed to support them in their missions.

Bell & Ross has created two watches that meet the operational needs of professionals on the high seas. These military and civil units operate with helicopters in extremely risky and many times, spectacular tasks.

GARDE COTES

 

CronotempVs by “IWC”

When we set out to look for our first diver, CronotempVs 4 by “IWC”, we had three key aspects in mind; the case, the movement and the history of the watch. This reduced the list of possible contenders to a handful of options. Out of these three priorities IWC’s Aquatimer 2000 was clearly ahead in the first and second while not neglecting the third either. The first Aquatimer saw the light in 1967…

The first prototype of the Ocean 2000 was built in 1982 as a watch for mine clearance divers and designed by the legendary Ferdinand A. Porsche. The version for non-military use was the first watch with a pressure-resistance of 200 bar and is much coveted by collectors. It was there time to present the CronotempVs 4 by “IWC”.

With a unique and easy to use inner turning bezel mechanism and its 200 BAR pressure resistance, the Aquatimer 2000 is without a doubt the best performing complicated watch case in “Haute Horologerie”. The 80110 calibre is conceived and perfected for the extreme conditions endured by a “professional” watch. There is no doubt the Aquatimer 2000 is a superlative “diver” in every aspect.

The CronotempVs 4 by “IWC” is a force to be reckoned with.

 

pictures by Scaramanga…

CronotempVs by IWC Event

The club would like to thank IWC for the extraordinary dinner that took place for the delivery event of the CronotempVs 4 by “IWC”. A special thanks to SKULLY Gin for the magnificent present for all the lucky owners of this watch.

We would all like to mention “Hugo” the should behind the sublime restaurant Kabutokaji “KBK”. An unforgettable experience with a superlative dinner in all aspects.

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