The Urban Jürgensen UJ-1 Tourbillon is a masterpiece of watchmaking, a celebration of the brand's return to the scene in 2025. Under the co-direction of Kari Voutilainen and Alex Rosenfield, the UJ-1 is a technical marvel, a 30mm wristwatch calibre that miniaturizes the architecture of Derek Pratt's legendary Oval pocket watch. This article delves into the intricate details of the UJ-1, exploring its historical context, innovative design, and meticulous craftsmanship. From the flying barrel to the one-minute flying tourbillon, the UJ-1 is a testament to the brand's commitment to preserving the legacy of Urban Jürgensen while pushing the boundaries of watchmaking.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the UJ-1 is its winding and hand-setting mechanism, which was relocated to the dial side of the calibre to preserve Pratt's architecture. This design choice is a testament to Voutilainen's attention to detail and his commitment to maintaining the integrity of the original movement. The flying barrel, raised above the movement, contributes to the three-dimensionality of the UJ-1, while the one-minute flying tourbillon and integrated remontoir d'égalité showcase the brand's mastery of mechanical complexity.
The UJ-1's power reserve mechanism, derived from marine chronometry, is another fascinating feature. The conical power reserve system, with its cone-and-feeler mechanism, provides a unique display of 47 hours of autonomy. This extravagant mechanism, while complex, connects the UJ-1 to the world of precision chronometers that shaped Urban Jürgensen's history.
The UJ-1's finishing is a testament to the brand's commitment to exceptional craftsmanship. The broad surfaces are frosted with a fine metal brush, creating a finely textured grenage finish. The large curved central bridge is finished with rounded, fully polished bevels, while the bridges receive hand-drawn straight graining using Cabron abrasive. The wheels are satin-polished, with chamfered spokes, and even a single screw required approximately 30 minutes of work to polish the head, finish the traditional English slot, and chamfer its perimeter.
The dial of the UJ-1 is deliberately more restrained, featuring a solid sterling silver base with traditional flinqué guilloché techniques. Linear grain d'orge fills the main dial, while the small seconds at 6 o'clock receives a Clous de Paris pattern. The applied precious metal tracks structure the display, with a fractional power reserve at noon and time indicated by the open-tipped Jürgensen hour and minutes hands.
The case of the UJ-1 is compact, measuring 39.5mm in diameter and 12.2mm thick. It is available in 950 platinum or 5N rose gold, introducing a new Urban Jürgensen case design with short, sharply defined lugs. The caseback features hand-guilloché with a circular grain d'orge pattern around the sapphire crystal, adding a touch of elegance to the watch.
The price of the UJ-1, at CHF 368,000 excluding taxes, is undoubtedly expensive, even by the standards of contemporary independent watchmaking. However, reducing the UJ-1 to its complication misses much of what makes it so fascinating. It is a 30mm reconstruction of one of Derek Pratt's most important movements, redesigned with crown winding, miniaturized without losing its three-dimensionality, and decorated to an almost unreasonable degree. The Reuleaux triangle, one-second remontoir, flying barrel, cone-and-feeler power reserve, and hidden keyless works form a remarkable movement.
In conclusion, the Urban Jürgensen UJ-1 Tourbillon is a testament to the brand's commitment to preserving the legacy of Urban Jürgensen while pushing the boundaries of watchmaking. It is a fascinating tourbillon that showcases the brand's mastery of mechanical complexity and exceptional craftsmanship. For those who appreciate the intricate details and historical context of watchmaking, the UJ-1 is a must-have addition to any collection.
