Urban Jürgensen Legacy: Kari Voutilainen Collaboration

Key Points from the Discussion

• The new lug design, while a departure from traditional teardrop lugs, is seen as a bold, modern direction that intrigues some collectors, despite initial reservations about its aesthetic in photos.
• The UJ-1 Tourbillon is highly praised as a wonderful tribute to Derek Pratt's Oval pocket watch, particularly for its flying barrel, central bridge, and integrated constant force mechanism, despite its 12.2mm thickness.
• A key point of contention for the UJ-1 Tourbillon is the absence of the detent escapement, which some consider a crucial element of Pratt's original Oval pocket watch, leading to a 'no' from some purists.
• The UJ-2 and UJ-3 models are noted for their impressive movement architecture, including numerous interior angles, with some collectors finding the UJ-2's finishing superior to Voutilainen's Vingt-8.
• The thickness of the new models, particularly the UJ-3 perpetual at 13.9mm, is a concern for some collectors who desire thinner, more elegant watches.
• Despite high pricing, the technical innovations, such as placing the remontoir wheel directly on the escapement wheel of the tourbillon, are recognized as remarkable achievements in contemporary watchmaking.
• Some collectors feel that while technically impressive, the new Urban Jürgensen watches lack the 'charm' and 'inspiration' of older models, appearing sterile compared to the brand's previous aesthetic.
• The new models' wide lugs are a recurring point of debate, with some finding they make the case appear larger and detract from the overall design.