Urban Jürgensen Reference 1140 - RG Brown - Limited to 20 pieces - New old stock

The Watch

Limited to just 20 pieces worldwide, this Urban Jürgensen 1140 is the ‘RG Brown’ edition with an overall design ethos reminiscent of deeply rich chocolate. This distinctive example of an important reference has a whole lot of features to adore.

It starts with its inviting brunette coloured dial which has a complex blend of ancestral dial making techniques that have to be completed by hand taking two full days. The dial starts off life as a solid single piece of silver with the surround harnessing radial brushing. Beautifully polished solid rose gold Breguet numerals are delicately applied to the brushed section in a supremely elegant and prominent fashion. At the dial centre is a complex, detailed hand guilloché wave pattern with the brand name neatly framed and following the curve of the dial.  Thankfully the guilloché goodness isn’t over, as the 6 o’clock seconds sub dial is a basket weave pattern with simple but incredibly effective seconds markers to match the chapter ring.

The unmissable handset on this watch is not just a star in its design, but also in execution. They’re comprised of steel that’s thermally blued for the most part, with rose gold being used for its instantly recognisable click mounted diamond polished eye. It’s a special technique used by Urban Jürgensen to perfect this stunning set of gracefully hands. This style of handset has been produced by other watchmakers, but no one quite compares to the sheer craftsmanship of Urban Jürgensen.

Just when you assume the watch has used up all of its characterful allowance, this 1140L is encased in solid rose gold with meticulously polished details. One of the most noticeable aspects of this case is its signature teardrop lugs. These aren’t like any standard lugs as they’re individually hand forged, polished and welded onto the case turning the charm on this piece all the way up to 10.

The Movement

The Urban Jürgensen P4 movement gives this watch its mechanical soul. Much like the watch itself, this is a special, refined piece of watchmaking with twin barrels providing a staggering power reserve of 72 hours. The P4 also is a stop-second movement ensuring pinpoint, accurate setting as well as being adjusted to five positions. The P4 manual wound movement is the perfect partner to this sensational timepiece.  Urban Jürgensen Movement P4

How It Wears

The Urban Jürgensen Reference 1140L is a pure delight on the wrist. Its combination of excellent proportions, thin bezel, and gorgeous dial details ensure quick handy glances to the wrist turn into prolonged, double-takes. Fitted with a Mr Watchley Saffiano Chestnet leather strap, the strong sense of warmth on offer here is bliss. Once the thick, rounded Breguet numerals catch the light, and the thermally blued hands do exactly the same, it’s impossible to not be in awe of this gorgeous piece of independent watchmaking.  

Condition & set

The 1140L on offer is in absolute mint, like new, new old stock condition. It is complete as a full set with all original warranty (sold in 2020), manual, outer box, inner box, UJS travel pouch as well as its original rose gold buckle. 

Origin

The world of watches is a rather complex beast, both in its subject matter and its interwoven structure. If you were after a singular, perfect example of this then Urban Jürgensen might be the ideal case study. This is a name that has been present in the horological world since 1773, although originally it was operating as Larpent & Jürgensen. The son of the original founder Urban Jürgensen was a well-regarded watchmaker working with the likes of Breguet & Arnold, as he developed processes and theories widely regarded as the benchmark for elite watchmaking. After a turmoil first three-quarters of the 20th century with splits to the company and various changes of ownership, Urban Jürgensen produced incredibly well made and refined watches as growing interesting in watch collecting returned during the 1980s.

Eventually, in 2010, the brand was re-united as a complete single entity, and in 2014 it returned to its Danish roots with new owners. Independent watchmaking occupies a fascinating corner of the watch industry, with many unique and bold designs coming to fruition. Urban Jürgensen acknowledges this but tends to lean more into its traditional, quintessential fine watchmaking origins. Their range is made up of various important collections, but the 1140 is the epitome of such mindsets and has become a cornerstone of their collection.

Measuring 40mm in diameter, the 1140 range uses various handmade finishes and techniques to produce a piece that is rooted in watchmaking tradition while also maintaining a special level of contemporary appeal and uniqueness.

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. Viewings by appointment only. We are based in Ghent, Belgium

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