Kong
[Moderator]
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Urwerk Event at the L' Atelier by The Hour Glass
5 November 2009
- Both founding founders of URWERK was in Singapore at the L' Atelier
by The Hour Glass at the ION Orchard to launch their latest collection
- the URWERK CC-1 (Codename “King Cobra”) .
Understand
that from the designers, the CC-1, the watch with the true retrograde
linear display is extremely difficult to make that till now, nobody has
managed to develop a production piece. As of now, nine pieces were
delivered to Europe, USA and Asia.
Recently the CC-1 also won the Special Jury Prize at Montres Passion's Watch of the Year 2009.
Here are some pictures of that evening get-together and also the interesting story of the creation of the CC-1.
Thanks to The Hour Glass for the pictures.
Martin Frei - URWERK founding partner and Chief Designer
"I am interested in the perception of time. Physicists tell us that time can be warped or stretched, and our daily experiences are with the circular cycles of the days, seasons and years. But I am also intrigued that time can be ordered, even straitjacketed, to flow in a linear direction - a straight line from the past, through the present, to the future. And, because this can represent an individual’s lifeline, I feel that this linear format can be a very human way to look at time. That plus the fact that I think it looks really cool! "
Felix Baumgartner - URWERK founding partner and Chief Watchmaker
"I am not big on nostalgia, but I have always loved the linear speedometers found on old cars. My older brother had a 1960’s Volvo and it was that which gave us the first idea for a horological linear indication.
I recently watched the film ‘The Birds’ by Alfred Hitchcock, and in it the heroine took refuge in an old Dodge with a linear speedometer- it is one of my favourite scenes. There are very few wristwatches with linear indications. One of them, if not the first, was ‘The Cobra’, which was developed in the late 1950s by Mr. Louis Cottier. It is sensational! Although it was created over half a century ago, it is still very contemporary. Unfortunately, it only exists as a single prototype and was never put into production. Now, 50 years after he filed his patent (1959), URWERK pays homage to the work of Louis Cottier by creating its own interpretation of the Cobra. "
The URWERK pieces showcased ...
The CC-1
Ms Wong Mei Ling, the new Managing Director-Singapore, The Hour Glass with a VIP guest ...
Felix posing with his 'Snake Strike' !
Think he needs to watch a couple more Jackie Chan's movie
Pose from the trio of Urwerk - a mix of Kung-fu & Bond/Bourne poses....
(L-R) Mr Michael Tay, Executive Director of The Hour Glass, Felix Baumgartner, Martin Frei and Mr Alan Teo, Boutique Manager of L'Atelier
The 'Bond' with the Hour Glass Angels...
Genesis of a creation
from the Press Release
1958.
Messrs Gilbert Albert and Louis Cottier combine their talents to create
a watch destined to revolutionize the horological world. Their idea is
completely outrageous: it is the world’s first watch to feature a
linear display. It is an extraordinary, avant-garde piece that fulfils
none of the aesthetic criteria of the time. As for its linear
indication, the idea may seem simple but the execution is a technical
headache of monumental proportions. However Messrs Albert and Cottier
believe in it and they stick with it, creating a prototype for Patek
Philippe.
1959. A patent is deposited by Louis Cottier, detailing the technical scale of the achievement. Then – nothing. The prototype is put on to one side. Does the watch even work? Today nobody knows for sure. It took its place in the corner of the Patek Philippe museum and proceeded to arouse curiosity from time to time.
1998.
With pencil and paper Martin Frei, co-founder of the URWERK brand and
an aesthete at heart, sketches the first outline of his future
creation: a watch in which the hours and minutes are indicated by two
straight, parallel lines. But he hesitates. With Felix Baumgartner,
master watch-maker and co-founder of URWERK, another idea springs to
mind – the concept of the hour satellite, presented for the first time
at Basel. The earlier project is postponed, sine die.
2006. URWERK is henceforth known and recognized for its mechanical hour satellite watches in which orbiting hour satellites indicate the minutes. But the idea of developing a different way of telling the time continues to fascinate Felix Baumgartner. In the end it is the Alfred Hitchcock film “The Birds” that gives him the decisive nudge in the right direction. In one of the most famous scenes from the film, the heroine seeks refuge in an old Dodge. The image lasts only a few seconds but it is crucial – a close-up of the dashboard and its linear speedometer. Yes. That’s it!
A continuous line with which to mark time. Felix and Martin work non-stop on this new project. Their research leads them to the
discovery of Gilbert Albert and Louis Cottier’s watch. It will be their “muse”.
2009. Three years of research. One year of testing. URWERK’s “King Cobra” is unveiled. ‘CC’ for Cottier Cobra, a homage to the genius of Louis Cottier, inventor and creator. Once more, URWERK redefines our vision of fine watchmaking and pushes back the frontiers of the possible.
For the technical information and press release, please click here.
------------
2006. URWERK is henceforth known and recognized for its mechanical hour satellite watches in which orbiting hour satellites indicate the minutes. But the idea of developing a different way of telling the time continues to fascinate Felix Baumgartner. In the end it is the Alfred Hitchcock film “The Birds” that gives him the decisive nudge in the right direction. In one of the most famous scenes from the film, the heroine seeks refuge in an old Dodge. The image lasts only a few seconds but it is crucial – a close-up of the dashboard and its linear speedometer. Yes. That’s it!
A continuous line with which to mark time. Felix and Martin work non-stop on this new project. Their research leads them to the
discovery of Gilbert Albert and Louis Cottier’s watch. It will be their “muse”.
2009. Three years of research. One year of testing. URWERK’s “King Cobra” is unveiled. ‘CC’ for Cottier Cobra, a homage to the genius of Louis Cottier, inventor and creator. Once more, URWERK redefines our vision of fine watchmaking and pushes back the frontiers of the possible.
For the technical information and press release, please click here.
------------
Urwerk Event at the L' Atelier by The Hour Glass
5 November 2009 - Both founding founders of URWERK was in Singapore at the L' Atelier by The Hour Glass at the ION Orchard to launch their latest collection - the URWERK CC-1 (Codename “King Cobra”) . Understand that from the designers, the CC-1, the watc...
it is this understanding and sensitivity of Urwerk....
that make me fall for them Great hommage and true to Urwerk's direction. A bit pricey, no? I love the watch Cheers, CL
This piece is unique....
especially the linear indicator. Will speak to some people to check out the claim As for the price, with your experience, you should be able to judge. However, with liquidity flushing in, sometime price has no logic. Thanks CL. Kong
Me! Me!
Speak to me! Not that I have the watch, but I saw it, I put over my wrist, and saw another moderator drop it (luckily) to chair, to the gasp of all attendants (and I bet a small droplets of liquid must be unconciously ejaculated in the nether region by th...
Mostly harmless........
Well, why not? This is mostly a bit of harmless fun and not too many people will get hurt. If you like it, it's kinda cool. If you don't like it, you can't afford it anyway because you'd be muttering about "not worth the expense" or some such excuse. Funn...
