Urwerk's UR-220 SL "Asimov" is a tribute to the sci-fi master

Urwerk is an independent watch brand that continues to captivate people with its futuristic designs and technical yet eccentric time displays. We introduce their latest model, the UR-220 SL "Asimov," released in the summer of 2021.

The UR-220 time display is realized with Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 BL

The UR-220 SL "Asimov" is a watch dedicated to Isaac Asimov, one of the three greatest science fiction writers. Asimov's most famous works include "I, Robot" and "Foundation," and the "Three Laws of Robotics" he preached in his novels have even gone beyond the world of fiction to have an impact on real-life robotics.

The UR-220 SL "Asimov" is Urwerk's third model in the UR-220 series. Driven by Urwerk's chief designer and co-founder, Martin Frei, this model represents a subtle evolution in materials, colors, finishes, and aesthetic style.

　Its greatest feature is the use of luminous satellites to display the time. Keeping this in mind, please keep in mind that the form created by Urwerk's precise CNC lathe processing surpasses existing UR-220 models.

　The UR-220 SL "Asimov" displays the time with a striking, bright contrast against a black carbon background. The hour display is made of a luminous hour transporter, which is first stamped out of silicon. Its sharp shape is then manually adjusted, resulting in a hardness comparable to that of ceramic. The color is achieved by Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 BL, a luminous material that emits a green glow in the dark.

　The satellites and hour markers are integrated. This time display structure is based on Urwerk's patented "Wandering Hour" system, which does not use hands. The Wandering Hour system demonstrates Urwerk's technological expertise and is deeply rooted in the brand's roots.

　The time is displayed by three rotating arms. The arm that displays the time is overlaid with a large pointer that functions as the minute hand, and together they move through a 120-degree minute scale in one hour. At the next hour, the pointer makes a big jump, returns to "0," and merges with the next arm. "This retrograde minute display is probably the most impressive of its kind in any wristwatch today," says Urwerk.

　There is also a power reserve indicator at the 1:30 and 10:30 positions on the dial. This indicator shows the winding status of the mainspring in separate displays. This power reserve indicator mechanism is made up of 83 parts, demonstrating the complexity of its development.

　The case back features an oil change indicator marked "OIL CHANGE" and displays two adjacent rotating numbers digitally, which the wearer activates by removing a protective pin and operating a pusher.

　This starts a counter that displays the number of months the movement has been running. After 39 months (3 years and 3 months), it's time to bring the watch in for a service. At that point, the counter will reach zero. The safety pin will be replaced by Urwerk.

　The movement is housed in an ultra-lightweight carbon case made from 81 layers of CTP carbon compressed with resin. A sapphire crystal protects the dial. The case back is made of black DLC titanium with sapphire crystal embedded in it, and two transparent openings allow the movement to be viewed. The rubber strap, equipped with a black DLC-coated buckle and an easy-to-remove Velcro buckle, completes the bold black look.