The story of Urban Jürgensen does not necessarily resemble the classic forms and legends of watchmaking. Still, it can be summarized in the achievements of Danish watchmaker and scientist Urban Jürgensen in the 18th century, in the brilliant innovations of Peter Baumberger and Derek Pratt over the last 50 years, and in the current resurgence of the maison under the direction of Alex and Andy Rosenfield, alongside contemporary legend Kari Voutilainen. This year, they have relaunched the brand with overwhelming watchmaking power, one of great significance in terms of horological values, that few can attempt to emulate. As a clear sign of the present and what is to come, the impressive UJ-1 dares to rewrite contemporary watchmaking.

This wristwatch represents a reinvention of Urban Jürgensen’s legendary Pratt “The Oval” pocket watch (from 1982), reviving a project that spanned nearly two decades. The UJ-1 miniaturizes and adapts a version of the iconic pocket watch movement to a wrist format for the first time, a feat that watchmakers have sought to achieve since the Oval’s introduction.

Urban Jürgensen UJ-1 (©Revolution)

The UJ-1 combines two of the most significant chronometric inventions in the history of watchmaking: the tourbillon patented in 1801 by Abraham-Louis Breguet to compensate for errors caused by gravity in pocket watches, and the remontoir d’égalité, a complex mechanism that provides perfectly constant force to the escapement, ensuring superior accuracy by counteracting the decrease in power of the mainspring as it unwinds. What sets it apart is the integration of the one-minute tourbillon and its constant-force remontoir in the inevitably named Caliber UJ-1 (hand-wound, 18,000vph, 47-hour power reserve).

The integration of the one-minute tourbillon on Caliber UJ-1 (©Revolution)

A remontoir is more effective the closer it is to the balance wheel. The ideal solution is to mount it directly on the escape wheel, as energy is transmitted directly to the lever that drives the balance wheel without intermediaries. That was the genius of Pratt’s solution, implemented in Urban Jürgensen’s pocket watches. However, in the past, it was not feasible to miniaturize it for mass production in a wristwatch. This is where the extraordinary significance of the UJ-1 lies: it is the first mass-produced wristwatch to feature a remontoir mounted in the cage directly on the tourbillon’s escape wheel.

The first mass-produced wristwatch to feature a remontoir mounted in the cage directly on the tourbillon’s escape wheel (©Revolution)

This technical achievement is the result of Derek Pratt’s life’s work as technical director at Urban Jürgensen from 1982 to 2005. During this period, he developed a series of pocket watches with his innovative design. His legacy is closely linked to Voutilainen’s, whose connection to the brand is defined by shared ideals. Years ago, when Pratt could no longer complete the Oval, Peter Baumberger turned to Kari to reformulate Pratt’s concept and complete the vision, respecting the Oval’s soul that gave rise to this disruptive achievement.

As our founder, Wei Koh, stated, the UJ-1 “is a shot across the bow of the entire watchmaking establishment; it is saying that under the guidance of these impressive individuals [the Rosenfields and Voutilainen], Urban Jürgensen intends to be the most technically innovative and aesthetically sublime watch brand in the world.” Enough said.