URWERK delves back into history, this time drawing inspiration from the Mesopotamian city of Ur. In 3000 BC, the Sumerians from Ur established the first unit of time, using the number 60 as their foundational number for 60 seconds and 60 minutes. This led to the launch of the second edition of URWERK’s 100V, Time and Culture line.
Martin Frei, URWERK’s co-founder and artistic director, is deeply fascinated by the rich culture, mythology, and timeless constructions of the Sumerians. The UR-100V Time and Culture II, named ‘Sumer,’ is a tribute to these ancient deities. Within its design, the sun god Utu is symbolized by a four-pointed sun representing the cardinal points, while the moon god Nanna is subtly positioned between the lugs of the UR-100V. The watch’s blue shade symbolizes lapis lazuli, associated with Innana, the goddess of Love, War, and Fertility. The backdrop of the UR-100V “Sumer” features shapes hinting at the Sumerians’ astronomical expertise, and their early contributions to astrology are acknowledged. The meticulous designs on this watch are laser-engraved, with the pattern’s ridges satin-brushed and hollows micro-sandblasted, giving it a unique texture.
The UR-100V not only displays hours and minutes but also data on Earth’s rotation. It showcases the distance covered due to Earth’s rotation, illustrating that every Ur inhabitant covers 477.29 kilometers every 20 minutes, while on a larger scale, Earth’s revolution around the sun accounts for 35,742 kilometers in the same timeframe. On the UR-100V, both hours and kilometers hold equal significance.
