Introducing The Urwerk UR-150 'Scorpion,' With An Entirely New, Bold Satellite Display

It's a big day when a small company like Urwerk releases a brand-new model, so let's hear three cheers for the new UR-150. With a slightly more curved case than I normally think of with Urwerk and a massively expanded time display, it's one of the boldest satellite displays in their entire lineup.

Thanks to a new mechanism, on the UR-150 "Scorpion," the tip of a hand arcs over the minutes track, one that's been expanded from going from the brand's usual 120° to a 240° arc for a more visually accurate display of the minutes. Meanwhile, the frame around the hour jumps from 60 to 0 in 1/100th of a second. Because of the distance and power required, the speed and inertia the most intense Urwerk has tackled. That meant creating a speed regulator fitted to the UR-150's flywheel, a mechanism usually employed to regulate the chiming sequence on a minute repeater. This smooths the return of the retrograde hand while keeping the speed of the display.

The new Scorpion comes in two versions with two different treatments: sandblasted and shot-blasted titanium and steel for the "Titan," with green accents and hour frame and sandblasted and shot-blasted titanium anthracite PVD-treated steel for the "Dark." Both feature Super-LumiNova on the hours and minutes. The cases measure 42.49mm by 14.79mm with a 52.31mm and has 50m of water-resistance. The layered, three-dimensional scale-like bracelet is a KISKA rubber strap.

With the new mechanism, the movement has an automatic twin-turbine winding system that can be seen through the back of the case. The watch has a 43-hour power reserve. Each version is limited to 50 pieces, with the Titan costing CHF 88,000 and the Dark 1,000 Swiss Francs more.

I love Urwerk. They make the meanest-looking versions of the futuristic watches I already have a soft spot for. Whether it's Urwerk, MB&F, or a few others, none of them come cheap. But they're also not just sitting around and making the same thing over and over again, either. So it's an exciting day when they have an awesome new watch. I'm just bummed I'm going to have to wait a while to see it.

Without knowing more about the watch or seeing it in person, it looks as though it wears like a more comfortable version of their UR-100, which was (until today) my pick for the Urwerk I'd grab if someone handed me the imaginary "blank Urwerk-specific check" I keep hoping will show up at my doorstep. The display is a heck of a lot more legible as well, though I do wonder at what point do you not just make the display go all the way around the dial like a normal watch so you don't have to do the whole "Scorpion" snap of 240º? Are you still doing a satellite display? "I couldn't help it," says the Scorpion. "It's my nature."

Brand: Urwerk
Model: UR-150 "Scorpion" Titan and Dark versions

Diameter: 42.49mm
Thickness: 14.79mm
Length: 52.31mm
Case Material: Sandblasted and shot-blasted titanium and steel for the Titan; sandblasted and shot-blasted titanium Anthracite PVD-treated steel for the Dark
Indexes: Satellite time display
Lume: Super-LumiNova for the hours and minutes
Water Resistance: 50m
Strap/Bracelet: KISKA rubber strap

Caliber: UR-50.01
Functions: Satellite hours and minutes: aluminum satellite hours on a brass carousel; aluminum retrograde hand
Power Reserve: 43 hours
Winding: Automatic system governed by a double turbine
Frequency: 28,800 vph
Jewels: 38
Additional Details: Circular graining, sandblasted, shot-blasting, circular satin finishing Chamfered screw hands

Price: CHF 88,000 (Titan) and CHF 89,000 (Dark)
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: 50 pieces each

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