Urwerk EMC TimeHunter X-Ray

Quick specs Urwerk EMC TimeHunter X-Ray Price: CHF 125’000 | approx. $ 129,000 | approx. € 112.000 Size: 43 mm x 51 mm Reference: unknown

The Urwerk EMC TimeHunter X-Ray brings the wearer closer to its watch than ever. Get ready for a time piece that’s up close and personal…

It was 2013 when the watchmakers of Urwerk shook grounds with the introduction of the EMC (Electro Mechanical Control) watch. Is this still a watch? The philosophy behind Urwerk’s EMC is to enable the wearer to monitor the performance of the watch and adjust it where needed. You could say it’s the democratisation of watch making. Information that was hidden in the case is now available to its wearer. And with the new Urwerk EMC TimeHunter X-Ray it’s right there for you to see.

So, how does this all work? Inside a precision mechanical movement is combined with an electronic module that monitors its rate. It’s like you’re asking your watch: how are you doing today? Press a button on the left side. First the watch tells you if the rate can be measured (δ) or if there’s too few energy (P). If measurement is possible the hand first indicates the rate (± 15 seconds a day) followed by the amplitude of the balance. At last a green LED light shows if the watch is performing correctly and a red one if it’s not. This indicating disc of rate and balance is located at the 10 o’clock position. Below at 7 o’clock the time piece indicates the power-reserve and at 1 o’clock a rotating disc is showing the seconds.

The details on the Urwerk EMC TimeHunter X-Ray are amazing

The creators of this watch didn’t choose an ordinary battery to fuel the electronic rating module. Instead they used a capacitor that can be recharged. This is done by turning the crank at the 3 o’clock side of the case. A few spins is all you need. And don’t worry about recharging will wear off the capacitor. It was built by the same company NASA used to engineer the miniature technology to power the Mars Rover. And they made sure the capacitor can be recharged between 100,000 and 200,000 times.

And there’s more… With an adjustment screw on the back Urwerk enables the wearer to twist it and change the effective length of the balance spring. Enabling you to regulate the rate and making sure the watch runs in line with the moving habits of its wearer. An adjustment normally only trained watchmakers can do.

The Urwerk EMC TimeHunter X-Ray features a manual-winding movement: the Calibre UR-EMC with an 80 hours power reserve. It houses in between two sapphire crystals. The case is 43 by 51 millimetre and made from grade 5 titanium that’s been brushed and has a PVD coating. Only 15 Urwerk EMC TimeHunter X-Ray watches will be produced.