Founded by watchmakers Gaël Petermann and Florian Bédat, Petermann Bédat made its debut with the 1967 powered by an elaborately finished movement featuring a deadbeat seconds.

Now, the duo has just unveiled their next creation which is a step-up in complexity – the 2941 Monopusher Split-Seconds Chronograph. Presented in a 38 mm platinum case and limited to ten pieces, the 2941 follows the design language of the 1967 with a transparent dial and an emphasis on movement finishing.

Initial thoughts

The 2941 at a glance is a conceptually impressive release that meets the high expectations resulting from its previous release. But perhaps one may ponder over the under-dial execution of the split-seconds mechanism (as opposed to a traditional approach that puts it on the back).

Undoubtedly, the finishing remains top notch. The movement sports numerous gracefully formed bridges and a notable emphasis on black-polished components.

More broadly, it is uncommon to see a new chronograph movement designed from the ground up, even more so a rattrapante with an instantaneously jumping minute counter.

That said, the movement architecture seems paradoxical. Part of the appeal of a finely-finished split-seconds chronograph is the intricate and layered view of the rattrapante mechanism on top of the chronograph seen through a display case back.

Thus, Petermann Bedat’s approach of installing the split-seconds under the dial is questionable, particularly considering the near-US$265,000 price tag. This is reminiscent of the industrial approach used by Breitling and Franck Muller that places a split-second module on the base chronograph movement under the dial – paradoxical considering the quality of finish found in the 2941.

This makes the price of CHF243,000 before taxes (equivalent to US$265,000 today) a little steep, despite the elaborate finish and unique architecture.

There’s the inevitable comparison with another independent watchmaker, Atelier de Chronométrie. While arguably not as meticulously finish and also not original since it’s a reworked vintage Venus 185, the Atelier de Chronométrie AdC#8 cost less than half the 2941.

That said, the 2941 is within the ballpark for as such things, namely a high-end, in-house split-seconds built as a limited run by an independent watchmaker.

The split seconds mechanism that is hidden under the dial

Modern case

As with the 1967, the 2941 dial is centred on a clear sapphire chapter ring with a centre in frosted platinum. While the clear chapter ring reveals the chronograph mechanism and keyless works, the platinum centre unfortunately hides the key element under the dial – the rattrapante mechanism. This ends up defeating one of the reasons for having the split-seconds mechanism under the dial.

The design element that jumps out are the oversized registers. The constant seconds is located at nine o’clock, mirroring the instantaneously jumping minutes register at three. Both sub-dials are large enough to be almost as wide as the radius of the dial, giving it something of a googly-eyed look.

The 2941 is a monopusher rattrapante with the start-stop pusher located coaxially within the crown at three o’clock. Meanwhile, the rattrapante pusher is located at ten o’clock – this button “splits” the blued rattrapante hand that is otherwise hidden under the gold chronograph seconds hand.

Despite the notable complication, the 2941 comes packed in a modestly-sized, 38 mm platinum case that stands 13.7 mm, giving it dimensions similar to the 1967.

The case profile is notably modern and sleek, having tapered lugs that slope diagonally outwards, creating the impression of a trapezoid case middle. Likewise, the rattrapante pusher at ten o’clock takes the form of a parallelogram, further enhancing the sleekness. The bezel has a slightly domed sapphire crystal, making the 13.7 mm thickness appear relatively svelte.

Integrated, monopusher rattrapante

Of course, the highlight of the 2941 is the cal. 202 within – a 30 mm-diameter, monopusher split-seconds chronograph with an instantaneous jumping minute counter.

Unlike most high-end rattrapantes on the market, the cal. 202 is designed with the chronograph and rattrapante mechanisms split between the front and back of the movement. Thus, while most of the conventional chronograph mechanisms are visible through the display back, the monopusher actuation lever and rattrapante mechanisms are located under the dial.

This implies that a future variant of the movement sans rattrapante is easily feasible, since the rattrapante parts can be removed, although that would leave an empty space hidden under the dial centre.

Visible through the display back is a lateral-clutch monopusher chronograph. Partly thanks to the column wheel actuation lever being located on the other side, this allows the chronograph components to be spaced out, emphasising the thin and slender steel levers.

In contrast, most manual-wind rattrapante movements have their maximum height around the centre due to the split-seconds mechanism and a high density of components, resulting in a beautifully intricate view especially when the parts are well-finished. It may be a missed opportunity for Petermann Bédat not to have have gone with a traditional rattrapante construction that would have fully showcased its finishing.

And the finishing is exemplary. The steel components are instance are constructed with many curves and inner angles, and then finished with black polishing, making them a highlight of the movement. The black polishing even extends to the curved detent springs that are visible throughout the movement in an almost-organic layout.

A signature design element carried over from the 1967 movement are the arrowheads. Here they are most prominent on the lateral clutch lever and minute counter impulse isolator.

A notable detail of Petermann Bédat movements are the exceptionally large jewel bearings in huge countersinks – here the largest of them supports the barrel and sits in a massive countersink that is framed by two of the chronograph levers encircling it in a figure-of-eight shape.

Key facts and price

Petermann Bédat Monopusher Split-Seconds Chronograph
Ref. 2941 (platinum)

Diameter: 38.6 mm
Height: 13.7 mm
Material: Platinum
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: Unspecified

Movement: Cal. 202
Features: Hours, minutes, monopusher chronograph, split seconds
Frequency: 18,000 beats per hour (2.5 Hz)
Winding: Manual
Power reserve: 42 hours

Strap: Alligator leather strap

Limited edition: 10 pieces
Availability: Direct from Petermann Bedat or authorised retailers
Price: CHF243,000 excluding VAT

For more, visit petermann-bedat.ch

The long anticipated revival of Urwerk’s first model has finally arrived: the UR-102 “Reloaded” is modelled on the watch Urwerk presented at its debut Basel fair in 1997.

The new UR-102 preserves the pebble-like form of the original but with enough tweaks to make it different, most notably with a larger case and revamped time display. But the new watch comes with a big caveat: it’s available only as part of a box set containing two UR-102s, one in titanium and the other all black.

Initial thoughts

I was looking forward to Urwerk’s revival of the UR-102. And I’m not disappointed with the result – except for the fact that it’s sold only as a pair.

The “Reloaded” version is obviously modelled on the 1997 original, but it’s also clearly a different creation. For one, it’s larger and the time display has been redesigned. Add to that the restyled lugs and repositioned crown and you have a watch that’s very much distinct.

In short, the new UR-102 is not a remake but a successful and appealing reinterpretation of the original. Leaving aside its origins, the UR-102 also has intrinsic appeal. It’s a clean, attractive design with sci-fi vibes.

But the UR-102 is being sold as a pair – both identical save for the case finish. Despite the merits of the watch and appeal of the brand, I dislike the fact that buyers are compelling to buy two near-identical watches (or find someone to split the set with, which from personal experience is harder than it sounds).

Fortunately it is a certainty that future iterations of the UR-102 will be launched, as is typical practice for Urwerk. I’m guessing they’ll be available individually, making them more accessible.

Coming full circle

At 41 mm the UR-102 “Reloaded” is noticeably larger than the 1997 original that was just 38 mm wide.

The enlarged case retains the same streamlined outline that was inspired by the Soviet-era Sputnik satellite. While the original had a conventionally positioned crown, the new UR-102 has the crown at four o’clock, further differentiating it from the original.

Offered with either a matte titanium or matte, black-coated titanium, the case also featured redesigned lugs that are more angular and prominent than those on the original.

The complication remains a wandering hours but the display now includes script relating to the history of the UR-102 as well as the distance travelled by the Earth around the Sun since the model was launched in 1997.

And of course the new UR-102 is powered by a contemporary calibre, the automatic cal. 20.2 that’s most probably a Zenith Elite base movement with Urwerk’s own wandering hours module.

The two versions of the UR-102 “Reloaded” are available only in a box set that’s limited to 25.

Key Facts and Price

Urwerk UR-102 “Reloaded” (box set of two watches)

Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 11.3 mm
Material: Steel and titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. 20.2
Functions: Hours and minutes
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 48 hours

Strap: Textured rubber and fabric with pin buckle

Limited edition: 25 box sets
Availability: At Urwerk retailers
Price: CHF56,000 excluding taxes

For more, visit Urwerk.com.