For the past week or so I have been fortunate enough to spend some hands-on time with the new URWERK UR-105 T-Rex. Unveiled at SIHH earlier this year as part of URWERK’s inaugural attendance at the event, the UR-105 T-Rex is a distinctive looking piece to say the least. That’s why I thought it best that I take it with me to get some style advice from my friends on London’s famed Savile Row; Stowers of London. With 35+ years in the business as bespoke luxury tailors I thought; if they can’t fit me with an outrageous jacket to complement the in-your-face style of the T-Rex, no one can!
The UR-105 T-Rex
I’ve had the good fortune (or sometimes misfortune) of wearing some pretty outrageous watches over the last few years (just check our Instagram feed if you don’t believe me), and whilst I certainly think the UR-105 T-Rex is distinctive looking I personally wouldn’t put it in the extreme category from an aesthetic standpoint. That being said I was surprised to find how polarizing this watch was. People either loved it with a passion or downright hated it, no one was indifferent. Everyone however wanted to touch it.
This last part is not that surprising to be fair as the UR-105 T-Rex certainly has one of the more unusual cases of recent memory. As you can see, the top of it is crisscrossed by a raised, concentrically ribbed pattern, akin to the scales of certain reptiles, hence the T-Rex nickname. What’s really trippy though is that it looks like it would be uncomfortable to touch but in fact it’s not. It’s actually quite soft and I often found myself absent-mindedly running my fingers over it when I was on the train or waiting for Netflix to load.
What makes this even cooler though is the fact that it’s made from hand-patinated bronze, meaning the colors of this breastplate will subtly evolve over the years, in part thanks to contact with your skin. That means all the absent-minded rubbing will one day result in you having a very personalised UR-105 T-Rex unlike anyone else’s.
On the wrist the watch is large but not uncomfortable. The ergonomic shape means it sits close to the skin but don’t expect to be able to slide it away inconspicuously under a shirt cuff as this is not that type of watch. It’s meant to be seen and trust me, people will stare in curiosity (and possibly envy). It is after all a healthy 39.5mm wide by 53mm in length and has a thickness of 16.8mm. Even in the short time I had the UR-105 T-Rex I caught a handful of people taking stealthy photos with their phones and who can blame them? As I said before, it is a very distinctive looking watch.
The UR-105 T-Rex only displays the time, which is perfectly fine for everyday life as far as I’m concerned. Of course it displays the time in a way only URWERK can using the company’s proprietary hour satellite complication. The four revolving discs – each of which have 3 numerals printed on them – take their turns gliding along the minute track at the bottom of the dial, combining to indicate the time in a quick and easy to read fashion.
Overall the UR-105 T-Rex is a really cool, different looking watch perfectly suited for those who are sick of conformity. The only challenge you might have is working out what to wear with it. Fortunately for me the team at Stowers of London were full of suggestions and found a cool pattern that really did the watch justice. Whether I could pull it off or not however is of course a completely different question.
Offered as a limited edition of just 22 pieces and priced at CHF66,000 (approx. US$66,000). the UR-105 T-Rex is a great option for those looking for something distinctive without wanting to compromise on practicality or quality.
If you would like to learn more about the UR-105 T-Rex please visit www.urwerk.com.
If you’re in the market for a bespoke suit or would just like to learn more about Stowers of London than please visit www.stowers.london. Or better still, if you find yourself in London head down to 13 Savile Row and have a drink with the guys, lord knows they keep the good stuff on hand! Don’t forget to mention our name too so that they know to take extra good care of you.