Urban Jürgensen UJ-1 Tourbillon: Pocket Watch Masterpiece Reimagined for the Wrist
Urban Jürgensen’s UJ‑1 Tourbillon marks the brand’s 2025 revival, translating Derek Pratt’s iconic Oval pocket‑watch architecture into a 30 mm wristwatch calibre. The movement preserves the original’s three‑dimensional layout, featuring a flying barrel, a monumental curved central bridge, and a one‑minute flying tourbillon integrated with a remontoir d’égalité that delivers constant torque through a Reuleaux‑triangle mechanism. Power is displayed via a conical reserve system, while the escapement combines a Swiss lever with a finely tuned balance, all housed in a compact 39.5 mm case available in platinum or 5N rose gold, limited to 75 pieces. The watch is finished with extraordinary attention to detail, employing frosted grenage, hand‑drawn straight graining, triple spiral decoration, and hand‑guilloché on the caseback. Its dial, crafted from solid sterling silver, showcases flinqué guilloché patterns and a fractional power‑reserve indicator, emphasizing both aesthetic and technical mastery. Priced at CHF 368,000, the UJ‑1 is a statement piece that blends historical reverence with modern horological innovation, embodying the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and complexity.
Buying Time Analysis: This story is important because it showcases the Urban Jürgensen UJ‑1 Tourbillon as a masterful revival of historic watchmaking artistry, blending innovative engineering with exceptional finishing to mark the brand’s triumphant return to the haute horology stage.