URWERK embarks on another leap through time. Previously, we journeyed into the heart of Amerindian civilizations, and now we find ourselves immersed in the epicenter of Mesopotamian civilization, particularly the ancient city of Ur, the very wellspring of URWERK’s inspiration.
In the year 3000 BC, the denizens of Ur, known as Sumerians, laid the cornerstone of modern timekeeping by establishing the first time units – the iconic number 60, giving us 60 seconds and 60 minutes. It’s a return to our origins.
Now, we present the second edition of the 100V, the Time and Culture line. As Martin Frei, URWERK’s co-founder and artistic director, elucidates, “My readings and travels have unveiled the profound depth and diversity of the Sumerian culture. Their mythology is rich, their architecture timeless. This obscure civilization is captivating. For our new creation, I relished showcasing its defining aspects: mythology, astronomy, astrology, and timekeeping.”
Under the sapphire dome of the UR-100V “Time and Culture II,” known as ‘Sumer,’ a Pantheon pays homage to these remote and ancient deities. Given that one of the indicators in the 100V collection relates to the Sun, the prominence of Utu is logical. Utu, the Sun god, is portrayed here in his original form dating back over 2,000 years, yet the design is both astonishing and strikingly contemporary: a four-pointed sun symbolizing the cardinal directions.
Nanna, the moon god, the primary divinity of Ur, is discreetly nestled between the lugs of the UR-100V, appearing almost as if in orbit.
The blue hue of the UR-100V ‘Sumer’ evokes lapis lazuli, a stone associated with Innana, the goddess of Love, War, and Fertility. Here, the stone’s material presence is transcended, leaving only its ethereal quality—the infinite blue.
Space-themed patterns grace the periphery, serving as a backdrop for the UR-100V ‘Sumer’ and highlighting the Sumerian civilization’s profound astronomical wisdom. Genuine star charts and planispheres, a testament to their affinity for the night and celestial bodies, even suggest that the foundational principles of our own astrology were laid during this era.
As with the inaugural Time and Culture piece, the motifs are meticulously reproduced. The lines are delicately etched with lasers, displaying exceptional precision, only truly appreciated with the aid of a magnifying glass. The motif’s ridges are satin-brushed, while the hollows are micro-sandblasted to impart a velvety texture, accentuating the contours and paying homage to this invaluable heritage, the very bedrock of the URWERK legacy.
On the UR-100V, a member of the Time and Culture line, the display incorporates hours and minutes alongside Earth’s rotational data. After the 60th minute, the minute hand transforms into a kilometer counter, symbolizing the 477.29 kilometers covered by each Ur inhabitant every 20 minutes, a silent journey facilitated by the Earth’s rotation. On the flip side, we encounter Earth’s revolution around the sun, a staggering 35,742 kilometers per 20 minutes. On the face of the UR-100V, hours and kilometers share equal importance and reside on the same scale.
For more information, please visit Urwerk.com.