URWERK UR-105 CT Kryptonite

At URWERK, there are recurring themes. The first and main one is the unique display, based on the satellite wandering-hours indication, which has defined most of the brand’s watches for over 20 years. Another one is the combination of black cases with brightly coloured indexes. With the brand’s latest creation, the URWERK UR-105 CT Kryptonite (a variation of an already existing watch, the Streamliner), Luminosity takes centre stage.

The URWERK UR-105 CT isn’t a novelty as such, as it already exists in two variations – one with a nude titanium and steel case featuring white accents and a black PVD-coated version with the signature bright (almost neon) yellow accents. Both versions of this NYC-inspired, slightly art-deco and Targa-like watch were utterly URWERK in style and function, colours included. Today, the brand comes out with a new edition of the UR-105 CT, nicknamed “Kryptonite” – a watch that glows in the dark.

This new version is basically just a colour variation of the existing models, at least in daylight conditions. Case, design and movement are entirely the same as the previous versions of the URWERK UR-105 CT. Thus, we find back the shield-like case that was introduced on the first two UR-105 models, with the crown positioned at 12 o’clock and relatively wearable dimensions (on the contrary of several other URWERK watches, you can even consider wearing the 105 as a daily watch… if you dare). The main novelty for the CT version was the re-introduction of the Targa look, with a hinged protective cover on top of the watch that allows a partial view of the time display and offers a full view of the mechanics when opened reminding us of various editions of the beloved 103.

The “hunter case” of the UR-105 CT Kryptonite adopts the clean, minimalistic design inspired by skyscrapers, with vertical grooves on the cover. On this new edition, the founders even claim that this sombre look was meant to evoke the mood of “Gotham City”. The case is made of titanium, coated with deep black AlTiN all around. The fabric strap also relies on this non-colour to create a stealth, dark look. When closed, this watch is almost pitch black, with the exception of the hour numerals and minutes track, which are coated in white – one of the main differences with the UR-105 CT already introduced last year.

As for the movement, nothing has changed compared to previous versions, with its wandering hours running over a 60-minute scale, and the signature automatic winding with two pneumatic turbines on the back governing the self-winding rate, which can be set with a lever in FULL position, in STOP position or in RED (for reduced) position. The updates seen on the previous UR-105 CT are also present here: fully opened carrousel, lighter and more aerial base-plate, addition of a digital second on the left of the time display, and a power reserve on the opposite side.

However, the URWERK UR-105 CT Kryptonite has a second face, when darkness falls. From a monochromatic watch by day, night brings a much bolder creature to life. The hour markers and minute track emit an intense green light while the seconds indicator and the power reserve emit a blue glow. The contrast between the matte, AlTiN-coated case and the vivid phosphorescence of the numerals is definitely cool. And of course, this phosphorescence is even stronger when the hinged cover is opened!

The URWERK UR-105 CT Kryptonite will join the collection along with the two inaugural pieces and will retail for the same price, meaning CHF 65,000 (before taxes). more detail at urwerk.com.