Throughout its history, Urban Jürgensen has demonstrated an unwavering pursuit of excellence, drawing on the skills and expertise of talented artisans. Despite new technologies proffering expedience and cost savings, the company has perpetuated the creation of timepieces employing the same exalted standards for which it has been known for over 240 years. Traditional materials ensure longevity, necessitating skilful hands deftly wielding tools in order to create horological objects of beauty. Urban Jürgensen watches are ‘atelier made’, not factory made. Thus the construction method and craftsmanship used are deliberately intended to appeal to connoisseurs of fine watchmaking. Some design elements and finishing are clear to see, while others are virtually hidden from view.
In May 2016 the top-selling lot at an auction of Fine pocket watches held by Antiquorum in Geneva was Urban Jürgensen’s The Krusenstern Chronometer, an exquisite gold pocket-watch commissioned by King Frederick VI of Denmark in 1820 and presented to the Russian Baron Krusenstern in 1821 . Initially, four bidders battled over the coveted chronometer, ultimately, the rare timepiece sold to a bidder for an outstanding CHF 747,750, over 12 times its high estimate. “We are ecstatic with the outcome of the Jürgensen collection in our May sale,” said Etienne Lemenager Director & Watch Expert of Antiquorum Geneva. “It was an honor to present such an extensive selection of remarkable Jürgensen examples and we are thrilled that the results reflect the exceptional quality of the pieces. With 177% of the collection sold by value, it is evident that rare Urban Jürgensen watches continue to stand the test of time.”
This year Urban Jürgensen launched in Baselworld 2016 three new models inspired by the greatest technological achievements of the Jürgensen Dynasty and applying the finest and most vaunted watchmaking techniques. In the Jürgensen 1745 collection, Urban Jürgensen presented a new Model: Reference 1741 in Platinum with Perpetual calendar, leap year indicator and moon phases. Reference 1741 brings for the first time an almost forgotten technology. The Reference 1741 dial is hand-made using the grenage technique and fitted with the Urban Jürgensen white gold hand-polished cabochons Arabic numerals. The moon disk takes more than 20 different operations to create, and the result is a unique tiny wonder of classic workmanship which is rarely found in timepieces nowadays. The reference 1741 caliber is based on the Urban Jürgensen P4 In-house movement and housed in a 41mm case.
Urban Jürgensen introduced as well a new collection called the Jules Collection, In honour of Urban Jürgensen’s grandson Jules Jürgensen. This collection includes two references, Reference 2240 and 2340, they both share new contemporary tapered lugs in a classic design. The dial of these two models share the dial finishing technology of the 1741, the delicately handcrafted and time-consuming Grenage. Reference 2240 comes in rose gold with black engraved Arabic numerals, central seconds and date. Reference 2340 comes in white gold, with small seconds, power reserve, date and moon phase indicator. The distinct Urban Jürgensen moon phase is handmade, as indeed are all Urban Jürgensen moon displays. The disk itself is crafted from mirror-polished, thermally blued steel, into which the stars are manually inlaid in gold and two solid 18K gold, mirror- polished moons are fitted.
For Soren Jenry Petersen, CEO and President, the favorite new release is the Reference 2240 « as it displays two of the core traits of what we at Urban Jürgensen hold very dear. Firstly, we have equipped the model with yet another traditional handmade dial craft – namely Grenage, which has become extremely rare these days. It is a distinctively handcrafted process that produces unique individual dials, and as such cannot be reproduced in even medium- scale production. Secondly, we have taken our first careful step away from our hallmark tear- drop lugs, opting for more contemporary tapered lugs in a classic design. This shows our commitment to handcrafted classic timepieces that will truly stand the test of time for generations ».
Reference 2340 White Gold
Case : white gold, threepart case, convex bezel, domed sapphire crystal, contemporary tapered lugs, open back with flat sapphire crystal, water resistant to 30m
Diameter : 40mm
Movement: hand-wound mechanical movement (Urban Jürgensen P4 based Caliber, 60h power reserve), Swiss lever escapement, adjusted to temperature, isochronism in five (5) positions
Functions : date, moon phase, power reserve, small seconds
Dial : solid one-piece silver dial, hand-finished Grenage dial, Urban Jürgensen black engraved Arabic numerals, hands made in thermally blued steel and yellow gold
Strap : alligator, semimatt black, brown or blue (other colors available on request), classic C-buckle in white gold, signed Urban Jürgensen (optional folding buckle)
Reference 2240 Rose Gold
Case : rose gold, three-part case, convex bezel, domed sapphire crystal, contemporary tapered lugs, open back with flat sapphire crystal, water resistant to 30m
Diameter : 40mm
Movement : hand-wound mechanical movement (Urban Jürgensen P4 base Caliber, 60h power reserve), Swiss lever escapement, adjusted to temperature, isochronism in five (5) positions
Functions : date, central seconds
Dial : solid onepiece silver dial, hand-finished grenage dial, Urban Jürgensen black engraved Arabic numerals, hands made in thermally blued steel and rose gold
Strap : alligator, semimatt black, brown or blue (other colors available on request), classic C-buckle in rose gold, signed Urban Jürgensen (optional folding buckle)
Reference 1741 Platinum
Case : platinum, 3-piece case, convex bezel, domed sapphire crystal, individually soldered teardrop lugs, open back with flat sapphire crystal, water resistant to 30m
Diameter : 41mm
Movement : hand-wound mechanical movement (Urban Jürgensen P4 base Caliber, 60h power reserve), Swiss lever escapement, adjusted to temperature, isochronism in five (5) positions
Functions : hours, minutes, central seconds, perpetual calendar, day, date, month, moon phase, leap year
Dial : solid one-piece silver dial, hand finished grenage dial, Urban Jürgensen White gold Arabic numerals appliques, hands made in thermally blued steel and yellow gold
Strap : alligator, semimatt black, brown or blue (other colours available on request), classic C-buckle in rose gold, signed Urban Jürgensen (optional folding buckle)
