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Lot Essay
Under the stewardship of Peter Baumberger, alongside the distinguished English watchmaker Derek Pratt, Urban Jürgensen was revitalised with a steadfast commitment to technical mastery, classical aesthetics, and uncompromising artisanal craftsmanship. The wristwatches made in the 1980s and 1990s are an amazing example of how tradition and innovation can coexist and have played a major role in the revival of modern watchmaking.
Approximately 172 examples of reference 2 were produced in total, including pieces in yellow and pink gold, as well as 50 examples in platinum. Only a very small number were made in white gold by special order, such as the present timepiece, further enhancing its rarity and desirability. White gold was itself a rarity within Urban Jürgensen’s catalogue of the period, as Peter Baumberger considered platinum to be the ultimate precious white metal. It is most likely that Baumberger commissioned the white gold cases in a single batch, with the watches then completed individually as and when demand arose.
The present timepiece is a masterpiece of sophisticated classicism. A beautifully crafted guilloché center of remarkable intricacy is framed by a satin-finished outer track with Roman numerals and minute divisions. With subsidiary dials for the date and moon phases at 6 and 12 o'clock and apertures for the day and month at 9 and 3 o'clock, the perpetual calendar indications are arranged with harmonious symmetry. The subsidiary registers have unique guilloché patterns, and the calendar windows are recessed instead of just chamfered, adding depth to the dial.
Reference 2 is powered by a Frédéric Piguet calibre 71 ébauche fitted with a perpetual calendar module developed by Lemania. Demonstrating Baumberger’s commitment to technical independence, the rights to this module were secured exclusively for Urban Jürgensen, ensuring its unique association with the brand.
Approximately 172 examples of reference 2 were produced in total, including pieces in yellow and pink gold, as well as 50 examples in platinum. Only a very small number were made in white gold by special order, such as the present timepiece, further enhancing its rarity and desirability. White gold was itself a rarity within Urban Jürgensen’s catalogue of the period, as Peter Baumberger considered platinum to be the ultimate precious white metal. It is most likely that Baumberger commissioned the white gold cases in a single batch, with the watches then completed individually as and when demand arose.
The present timepiece is a masterpiece of sophisticated classicism. A beautifully crafted guilloché center of remarkable intricacy is framed by a satin-finished outer track with Roman numerals and minute divisions. With subsidiary dials for the date and moon phases at 6 and 12 o'clock and apertures for the day and month at 9 and 3 o'clock, the perpetual calendar indications are arranged with harmonious symmetry. The subsidiary registers have unique guilloché patterns, and the calendar windows are recessed instead of just chamfered, adding depth to the dial.
Reference 2 is powered by a Frédéric Piguet calibre 71 ébauche fitted with a perpetual calendar module developed by Lemania. Demonstrating Baumberger’s commitment to technical independence, the rights to this module were secured exclusively for Urban Jürgensen, ensuring its unique association with the brand.