By ASHOK SOMAN
Earlier this year, independent watchmaking enfant terrible Urwerk
unveiled its latest creation, the UR-202 Turbine Automatic. This is the first
watch in the world to use compressed air to regulate the winding rate. It still
features the patented Revolving Satellite Complication, which refers to the
unique display of time seen here.
Relying on the principle of fluid dynamics,
the watch features twin turbines on the caseback coupled with the winding
rotor. Basically, this means that Urwerk are using air friction to cushion the
winding system, thus reducing wear-and-tear and increasing the longevity of the
movement.
The function of the turbines can be controlled via a selector that
controls how fast the turbines spin based on physical activity of the wearer.
Interestingly, Urwerk claims that water resistance is not compromised despite
the presence of the turbines.
www.urwerk.com
via Watch Tribune