Urwerk was born from a meeting in 1995 between two brothers, Felix and Thomas Baumgartner, both gifted watchmakers, and friend Martin Frei, a talented artist and designer. These young men were united by their common passion for measuring and portraying time. A long discussion, a sharing of philosophies and dreams, culminated in a decision to create their own vision of time.
Marin Frei sketched and honed the design of the timepiece while the Baumgartners spent the next two years developing the technical aspects of the movement and complication. Inspired by the 17 century Campanus Night clock, the team aimed to distil timekeeping to its very essence, to calm the perception of time by removing all extraneous indications and distractions.
While searching for a name to formalise their new collaboration, two principle references soon became apparent:
UR. The city of Ur was the very place where our perception of time was molded over 6000 years ago by the moving shadows cast by the obelisks of Ur. These giant sundials unveiled the mysteries of the earth's movement through space. The Sumerians, the people of Ur, declared that the passage of these shadows through the course of one year should be partitioned into12 units, thus laying the foundation for a system of timekeeping which has endured to this day.
WERK. In the German language, 'werk' means to work, create, evolve,shape, forge and to arouse emotions.
Urwerk SA was launched in 1997 with one overriding aim: to follow nobody but to create their own path in pushing the boundaries of haute horlogerie ever further.
1997 Urwerk SA created. Launch of the 101 (gold) and 102 (steel) at Basel with the AHCI.
2003 The new 103 model with its orbiting satellites was presented at Basel and caught the attention of Harry Winston Rare Timepieces.
2004 Urwerk begins work on the revolutionary Opus V in partnership with Harry Winston.
Thomas Baumgartner leaves Urwerk to concentrate on his own projects.
2005 Launch 103.03 and the Opus V at BaselWorld 2005.
Martin Frei: Urwerk founding partner and Chief Designer and Felix Baumgartner: Urwerk founding partner and Chief Watchmaker
Biography Felix Baumgartner: Urwerk founding partner and Chief Watchmaker
“Horology is in my blood. I am the son and the grandson of watchmakers. The first musical concert I remember was played by the more than 50 clocks tick-tocking in his atelier in our home. I was a watchmaker by birth and am now a watchmaker by passion.”
1975 Born in Schaffhausen (Switzerland) into a watchmaking family. Childhood surrounded by exceptional and complicated timepieces in his father's restoration atelier and this forges his horological culture.
1991 Enrols in the prestigious watchmaking school in Solothurn.
1995 On gaining watchmaking diploma, Felix declined the easy option of an association with his father and moved to Geneva to work as an independent watchmaker. Developed complicated watches, including perpetual calenders and minute repeaters, as well as restoration commissions for prestigious brands.
Milestone meeting in Zurich with brother Thomas and kindred spirit Martin Frei: philosophizing on a new vision of time/time perception. Start to dream about creating own timepieces.
1997 Co-founds Urwerk SA with Thomas Baumgartner and Martin Frei. Their goal: to design and craft haute horlogerie timepieces blending tradition with futuristic vision.
Presents first watch at Basel with the AHCI: the UR-101.
Biography Martin Frei: Urwerk founding partner and Chief Designer
“After studying visual design and arts I came in contact with a wide variety of influences and cultures. When the world of horology opened its doors to me, I entered with all my artistic luggage in tow. I did not find having an art background limiting, instead, my art opened new horizons to watch design. Technique, concept and esthetism,are, above all, acts of creation.”
1966 Born in Winterthur, Switzerland. Martin's father was an engineer making machines for basic research while his mother was his first art teacher.
1987 Diploma in Graphic Design from the School of Visual Arts, Zurich
1989 Bachelor of Arts at the Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst in Luzern, Switzerland. There as a student of Roman Signer, an internationally renowned Swiss artist
1990 one year course on Video and Film at the Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst in Luzern
1991 Met Thomas Baumgartner at a New Year's party in Luzern.
1994 Founded an Artist group called U.S.A.- United Swiss Artists - in Lucerne with artist-friends. U.S.A. did exhibitions, videos and performances.
1995 Meeting with Thomas and Felix Baumgartner to discuss a watch. Came up with the name Urwerk and sketches for the first 101/102
1997 Co-founds Urwerk SA with Felix and Thomas Baumgartner. Their goal: to design and craft haute horlogerie timepieces blending tradition with futuristic vision.
Presents first watch at Basel with the AHCI: the UR-101.
