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Urwerk’s Hyper-Expensive Windpower Watch

By Staff • Published May 3rd, 2008 • Further Reading  

Urwerk\'s UR-202 windpower wristwatch

The typical buyer of Urwerk’s UR-202 wristwatch won’t be hitting up Ed Begley Jr. for green living tips. He’ll likely own a private jet or two, homes on multiple continents, and be responsible for more daily greenhouse gas emissions than most of us pile up over the course of a year.

But he’s also wearing what is arguably the world’s first windpower wristwatch. The Urwerk UR-202’s self-winding mechanism is regulated by compressed air, fed by a pair of micro turbines.

Technology for a gilded age

Admittedly, there are more rational ways to avoid dumping a watch battery in the recycling bin every six months or so. That’s not the point of the UR-202, a wristwatch you purchase because, well, just anyone can buy a Rolex or a Breitling these days. The UR-202 is a gadgeteer’s übergadget: a showy piece of technology made expensive for expensive’s sake.

Urwerk UR-202 (cutaway)

That’s not to say it isn’t clever, and an interesting demonstration of what is possible when thinking about new ways to power portable devices. Turn over the UR-202, and you’ll see two tiny turbines recessed into the bezel (in red or white gold — black platinum is also available at a premium). A three-position switch controls the amount of damping provided by the turbines, which draws air from within the watch’s fully waterproof case. The air is forced into a compression chamber, which acts as a shock absorber for the winding mechanism’s main rotor.

Urwerk claims that this windpower cushioning extends the life of the overall mechanism. It also makes for killer cocktail talk.

What time is it, anyway?

If all this exotic technology weren’t enough, the UR-202 displays time using Urwerk’s aptly named Revolving Satellite Complication. Three orbiting and revolving hands divine the hour while pointing at the current minute, indicated on an engraved arc across the bottom of the UR-202’s face. There’s even a lunar phase indicator, perfect for planning appropriately moonlit social activities.

So how much will it cost to strap one of the beauties on your wrist? Frankly, we’re not sure: Urwerk and its handful of exclusive dealers don’t list prices. The UR-202 is rather unapologetically one of those if-you-must-ask-it’s-not-for-you purchases. But we were able to determine that its immediate predecessor, the UR-201 retailed for € 92,600 (about $143,000 USD) in its plain-jane red gold trim. Black platinum could be had for € 129,600 — just shy of $200,000 USD at current exchange rates.

Take heart. It’s absolutely free to watch Urwerk’s stunning, computer-animated promotional video:

  • Sir Cash D Money Esquire II
    Utterly stunning. I'll take two please. One for work, and the other to leave in the glovebox of the Veyron for when I'm driving through Monte Carlo.
  • Thanks for the recommendation - great editorial. I sent some other people there too. As I see it, though, we conservationists need to do preach a "thou shalt" rather than a "thou shalt not" message, and I think that means emphasizing as often and in as many ways as we can the very real joys to be found in (for example) creatively reusing thins, making things from scratch, growing one's own feed, making one's own beer, savoring smaller amounts of good food rather than consuming vast quantities of junk food, etc. In other words cast ourselves not so much anti-consumption as pro-creation... or something.
  • @Dave: I thought this article was on target: "Renewable Energy Is Not the Answer."

    http://postgreen.com/2008/05/05/renewable-energ...

    Conservation is our best first play, period.
  • Dave
    Pardon me if I extend the analogy to industrial wind turbines. Here in western Pennsylvania, they just broke ground on a new 25-turbine project which PA taxpayers will underwrite to the tune of $5.9 million per turbine - http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_sto...
    Needless to say, this will do little to reduce our dependence on coal - nothing compared to spending the same money on tax breaks for builders and homeowners who emply simple conservation measures. But like the watch here, it's a symbol of our virtuous intentions. It says, "We can stop our hyper-consumption anytime we want!"
  • Charlie
    It's official, the end of this world is near. This was the sign I've been waiting for.
  • Just me
    If you buy this watch, you have more money then sense. Buy yourself a Rolex, spend the other 100 thousand on an environmental cause that will do more then saving the earth from one more watch battery.

    P.S. You can buy a watch that is powered by the sun, or powered by your movement.
  • @Farhan: The YouTube video just loaded for me. But the video is also available on Urwerk's site:

    http://www.urwerk.com/watches_200.asp

    Enjoy.
  • The video was not available. What a pity ! So now only the "haves" can see it when they dish out 200K.. what a bummer
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