In 1959, Patek Phillipe introduced a concept watch called “Cobra”, which features two cylinders to display hours and minutes in linear fashion. The ground-breaking timepiece was designed by the Master Watchmaker Louis Cottier. Unfortunately, due to certain longstanding technical constraints, the prestigious watchmaking company had no plans to put the whimsical watch into production line. Now there is nothing left but the prototype model of the watch, lying silently in the Patek Phillipe museum.

Over the past 50 years, technology has been developed at a fantastic speed. New materials, techniques and designs constantly come forth in the horological field. In such a context, Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner, two experienced watchmakers, banded together to pay tribute to Mr. Cottier by continuing the “Cobra” story, which has lasted for half a century. In line with the times, the whole concept inspired by the “Cobra” watch had to be completely redesigned, improved and enhanced, in order to produce and commercialize such a product.

It took four entire years to reshape the revolutionary watch just like a phoenix from the ashes – three years of development and one year of testing. The hours and minutes are displayed respectively by two independent cylinders. To be the first is the hardest in any occasions. Creating such a pioneering display system was bound to come across a lot of difficulties, among which how to ensuring the regular motion of the cylinders was the greatest problem. To solve this problem, a triple cam in beryllium is applied to transmit the energy of the movement to the two cylinders, cooperated with a toothed segment in silicon at the end of the pivoting rack in the intermediary function. When the minute cylinder reaches the 60-minute marker, an extremely thin spring pulls it back to its original position in a retrograding motion. Simultaneously, the hour cylinder moves one step forward.

Providing a digital reading of the seconds, a disc takes the place of the traditional hand, while the energy transmission has no difference with conventional models. Inside the new watch is a new self-winding calibre, which is specially developed for the model with an innovative feature to reduce the effect of violent impacts on the rotor. Through a window in the side of the watch, we are able to find a “rotor fly brake” which consists in a propeller blade as a pneumatic brake.

The new Urwerk watch bears a significant name, “UR-CC1″. “CC” is the acronym for “Cottier Cobra”, showing the utmost respect to the Master Watchmaker and the legendary masterpiece. It is also called “King Cobra”. There are two versions available, both strictly limited – 25 pieces in white gold and titanium and 25 others in black gold and titanium. The unit price is about $250,000.

Kevin also publishes articles about Luxury Watches at watchestrends blog.