Urwerk unveils UR-300 Time Quantum mechanical watch with wandering hours

Geneva-based independent watchmaker Urwerk has introduced the UR-300 Time Quantum, inaugurating its new 300-series collection with a completely reworked wandering-hours complication. Unveiled in October 2026, the purely mechanical timepiece is priced at CHF 168,000 before taxes, or approximately $226,000, at time of publishing. Production is limited to 50 total units, split equally between 25 pieces in natural satin-finished and microblasted Grade 5 titanium with white numerals, and 25 pieces in dark PE-CVD coated Grade 5 titanium with acid-green numerals.

Prograde T-frame wandering hours and mechanical architecture

While earlier Urwerk creations from the Opus V to the UR-150 Scorpion use a retrograde mechanism that snaps the hour indicator back to zero at the top of each hour, the UR-300 Time Quantum introduces a prograde forward jump. Inspired by atomic transitions in quantum mechanics, the openworked display centers on two linear hour modules fixed perpendicularly in a T-shaped frame. Each end of the two modules carries a three-sided hour prism, allowing the four rotating prisms to display all 12 hours.

During operation, the active prism at the base of the T-frame travels along a 108-degree bottom arc graduated from 0 to 60 minutes. Once the indicator reaches the 60-minute mark, the entire T-frame executes an instantaneous forward jump and geometric reconfiguration to bring the next hour prism into position. The dial also integrates a continuous running seconds indicator using three hands that each sweep 20-second intervals across a 120-degree sector. Despite the complexity of the patent-pending planetary display, the mechanism allows the wearer to set the time both forward and backward without damaging the movement.

Caliber UR-30.01 specifications and titanium case design

Powering the UR-300 Time Quantum is the self-winding Caliber UR-30.01, which operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4 Hz, across 40 jewels. The automatic winding assembly is regulated by Urwerk's patented Dual Flow Turbines to protect the rotor from shock, while a double mainspring barrel delivers a 43-hour power reserve on the official specification sheet. Movement finishing includes circular and straight graining, sandblasted surfaces, Geneva stripes, and polished screw heads.

The angular Grade 5 titanium case measures 45.2 mm wide, 58.8 mm long, and 18.25 mm thick. It features a domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, a sapphire display back secured by four screws, a two-position screw-down crown with an integrated protection system, and around 30 meters water resistance. Anodized aluminum flexible lugs connect the case to a black nylon hook-and-loop strap.