Renowned for defying horological norms, Urwerk now introduces the UR-100V “LightSpeed” Ceramic, a piece that moves beyond standard time display to honor the speed of light.
This release represents a significant evolution for the collection. While we previously explored the mechanics of this series in our review of the original LightSpeed as a sculptural masterpiece, this new iteration swaps carbon for a pristine, technical white ceramic. The idea remains simple but exacting: an iconic URWERK wandering‑hour satellite abandons its time‑telling duty to act as a cosmic marker. Once off the minutes track, it charts the real journey of a photon leaving the Sun and traveling through the solar system.
A Cosmic Vision Scaled to the Wrist
“Wearing this creation is like carrying a fragment of the universe on the wrist, a miniature vision of the cosmos scaled to human perception”, explains URWERK’s Artistic Director and co-founder Martin Frei.
“By mapping astronomical distances onto the constrained geometry of a wristwatch dial, the transformation of scale reduces the effective velocity of light to a visually quasi-static motion, in which a constant physical speed is perceived as slow due solely to a change of reference and proportion. The sequence unfolds with scientific precision: sunlight reaches Mercury in 3.2 minutes, Venus in 6 minutes, Earth in 8.3 minutes, Mars in 12.6 minutes, Jupiter in 43.2 minutes, Saturn in 79.3 minutes, Uranus in 159.6 minutes and Neptune in 4.1 hours. More than a display of data, this complication offers a tangible sense of cosmic distance, offering an elegant reminder of how vast the universe truly is.”
The Proprietary White Ceramic Case
A standout feature of this release is the proprietary white ceramic case. Measuring 43 mm in diameter, 51.73 mm in length, and 14.55 mm thick, it’s crafted from a composite ceramic reinforced with glass and carbon fibers in a polymer matrix—making it far more shatter-resistant than traditional ceramics.
Engine and Movement
The black DLC-coated titanium caseback offers a view of the full aluminum rotor, adorned with sun-inspired rays and circles that symbolize the Sun powering the UR-12.02.
At the heart of the UR‑100V LS Ceramic is the UR 12.02 automatic calibre: a Windfänger air‑resistance system governs winding to curb excessive input, and twin barrels supply a 48‑hour reserve as the movement beats at 28,800 vph.
Pricing and Availability
The UR‑100V LS Ceramic comes on textured rubber straps in black or white and is priced at CHF 67,000 (≈ USD 86,375).
For full details, visit URWERK’s official website.
All Images Courtesy of Urwerk
