Introducing – URWERK EMC TimeHunter X-Ray, the skeletonized version

The URWERK EMC TimeHunter is not just an impressive face. Like always with this independent manufacture, the design is… different, bold, aggressive, outrageous or futuristic (choose the desired adjectives). The EMC TimeHunter is far more than that, it is simply unique and revolutionary. Based on the self-adjustment of the movement so dear to the brand, this watch added the self-monitring capacity, in a very technical way. This highly-innovative watch receives a facelift and now comes in a skeletonized version, the URWERK EMC TimeHunter X-Ray.

What is the URWERK EMC TimeHunter?

It is a watch, which tells the time – and surprisingly for URWERK, it does it on a round dial and with traditional hands. So, what’s so innovative here? Well, to the display of the time, this watch adds two unique features: the capacity to monitor the precision and the amplitude of its mechanical movement and the capacity to adjust the watch to gain in precision, all by yourself, without the help of a watchmaker, in case you monitor a deviation. This is a just unique in the whole watchmaking industry. No other watch offers such a interaction with its owner, and a capacity to adapt to its lifestyle and environment (both the activity of the wearer and the place he lives can affect the movement).

One of the first editions of the EMC TimeHunter

How these two processes, self-adjusting and self-monitoring, can be possible? The URWERK EMC TimeHunter contains two movements, one mechanical and one quartz-powered. No worries, only the mechanical movement intervene in time-telling. Monitoring is done via two components. First, an optical sensor on top of the balance wheel captures the precise rate of oscillation of the 4 hertz / 28,800vph regulator, over a period of 3 seconds. Then, the rate is compared to the rate of a small quartz movement, which is here only for comparative matters, just to check how fast or slow the mechanical movement runs. A miniaturized computer finally compares the runs of these two movements and evaluates the deviation of the mechanical movement.

Well, fine, now you know how good or bad regulated your watch is. So you expect now to go to a watchmaker, wait for him to disassemble your beloved watch and to fine-tune your movement – and you expect a huge invoice to come along. The beauty of the URWERK EMC TimeHunter is that it also allows the wearer to adjust the watch, depending on the results he obtained before, when monitoring, by just turning a screw on the caseback of the watch. Finally, the monitoring of the amplitude will give you a good indication of the service intervals of the watch. For more technical details and the entire process to perform these tests and adjustments, please take a look at our in-depth review of the EMC watches.

The new URWERK EMC TimeHunter X-Ray

After two first editions (both limited to 15 pieces), one in nude titanium, the other with a military green ceramic coating, these two having a normal dial (meaning plain), here comes a new edition, the URWERK EMC TimeHunter X-Ray, which unveils most of its innards – the mechanical ones, not those link to the quartz movement – through the dial. Legibility has been one of the central points here, as we all know that skeleton watches can be rather difficult to read. A black central dial indicates the hours and minutes, with hands coated with white SuperLuminova for enhanced contrast. A large track circles the dial and features bold markers. A rotating disc showing the seconds at 1 o’clock is balanced at 7 o’clock by a power-reserve indicator. All of these indications are counterbalanced by another part of the dial, in a contrasting red colour.

The monitoring area of the dial is clearly separated from the indications, with a strong red color. On an arch at 11, the URWERK EMC TimeHunter X-Ray indicates the precision and amplitude, just like the previous editions of the EMC did. This new X-Ray edition is mainly a cosmetic update, with no influence on the movement or the functions. Its case is made in grade 5 titanium and steel, with black PVD treatment. It is secured on the wrist by a black fabric strap.

The sapphire caseback reveals the movements (yes, with an S, as both the mechanical movement and the electronic devices are visible), something rather unusual at URWERK. The EMC TimeHunter X-Ray indeed has some interesting mechanics to shows, as it features a movement developed and assembled in-house – and not based on an out-sourced calibre. This edition adds some colors to several parts, as the grill to protect the electronics or the optical sensor cover are coated in bright red. The rest of the movement, with interesting finish, remains identical to the other EMC watches.

The URWERK EMC TimeHunter X-Ray will be limited to 15 pieces and will be priced at 125,000 Swiss Francs (ex. taxes). More details can be read on Monochrome here and on the website of Urwerk here.

Specifications of the URWERK EMC TimeHunter X-Ray

• Case: 51mm x 43mm case, 15.8mm thick – grade 5 titanium and steel, black PVD coated – sapphire crystal on the front and on the back – 30m water resistant
• Movement: Calibre UR-EMC, developed and assembled in-house – manual winding – 80h power reserve – 28,800 vibrations/h – Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve – self-monitoring of the precision and amplitude – self-adjusting of the precision
• Strap: Black fabric strap with folding clasp