United we are stronger in the fight against disease. In support of the Only Watch biennial charity auction of unique timekeepers, two great independent watchmaking “Maisons” – De Bethune and Urwerk – joined their creative energies in bringing forth a timepiece that arouses curiosity, focuses attention and touches the senses. From the outside, a case that challenges established norms, fusing the design and function genetics of De Bethune and Urwerk with its floating lugs and the singular vibrancy of mirror polished titanium. Under the hood and curved sapphire crystal, a mechanical universe which amazes us with the one-off URDB01 caliber jointly developed for this very special auction – the crown at 12 o'clock, spherical moon phase, and Urwerk’s signature time indication with the now-famous satellite window in an arc that evokes the sun's curvature. The collaboration
DE BETHUNE x URWERK is the story of four personalities, Denis Flageollet and Pierre Jacques at De Bethune, and Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei at Urwerk. A story of mutual respect and implicit trust. The meeting of two ultra-creative and independent watchmaking minds, linked by a longstanding friendship, to donate for auction a truly original and highly desirable timepiece in support of the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 1 + 1 = 3.
URWERK
“Bringing out yet another version of an existing mechanical complication was not our aim”, says Felix Baumgartner, master-watchmaker and co-founder of URWERK. “Our watches are unique because each has been conceived as an original work. That is what makes them valuable and rare. Above all, we want to explore beyond the traditional horizons of watchmaking.” Martin Frei, chief designer and the other co-founder of URWERK, develops the aesthetic signature for each of the models. “I come from a world of total creative freedom. I’m not cast in the watchmaking mold, so i can draw my inspiration from my entire cultural heritage.”
Discover URWERK