The Final URwerk UR-230, The Black Star Edition
Every great tale eventually reaches its end. First introduced in 2023, the UR-230 line marked Urwerk’s latest chapter in the beloved 200-series, following the enduring UR-210 and the shorter-lived UR-220. Built on the same design DNA as its predecessors and still instantly recognizable for its satellite-display layout, the UR-230 Eagle introduced new features like a dual variable-geometry turbine and a hybrid winding system. The subsequent UR-230 Polaris arrived in a striking white ceramic aesthetic reminiscent of stormtrooper armor. Now, the UR-230 Black Star returns to a classic black-and-yellow palette, while signifying the closing arc of this collection. Yet, the story isn’t finished—expect more revelations in the year ahead.
Design-wise, the UR-230 deployed a brand-new yet familiar, aerodynamic case silhouette. Its initial expression came with the Eagle, featuring a black DLC-treated titanium and CTP carbon case, plus a mobile cover crafted from the same material to shield the sapphire crystal—true Urwerk signature. The Polaris then shifted toward a bright, layered ceramic-composite construction. The Black Star edition sticks to the same overall case geometry, measuring 44.81 mm in width and 53.55 mm in length, while reimagining materials.
The UR-230’s triptych of models is completed with a black-and-yellow variant, housed in a hermetically sealed titanium capsule (water resistance to 30 meters) engineered as a mechanical safe. Surrounding this core is a laminated composite ceramic shell, paired with a black DLC titanium back. The material is a specially developed laminated ceramic composite for Urwerk, integrating braided ceramic, fiberglass, and carbon fiber within a polymer matrix. When machined, this composition reveals a gleaming relief dotted with tiny sparkles.
Turn to the dial, and you’ll find Urwerk’s distinctive, intricate display—an evolution of the 210 and 220 lines. The satellite configuration features wandering hours and a retrograde 3D hand, all anchored by a central hub that connects four cubic hour satellites. These four blocks glide across a 120-degree arc over the course of 60 minutes. The active hour—scrolling along the minutes rail—is captured by an open-work retrograde hand that tracks its journey from 0 to 60. At the close of the hour, the hand snaps back to zero to seize the next satellite. The dial’s palette leans toward grayscale with sharp yellow luminous accents for legibility.
Beyond telling time, the UR-230 Black Star packs a host of sophisticated indications. Its self-winding movement (Vaucher base) is regulated by Urwerk’s exclusive dual-turbine system: one turbine absorbs shocks, while the other modulates airflow to the automatic winding mechanism, functioning as an aerodynamic brake. A rear-mounted control allows you to adjust rotor tension or switch to manual winding entirely. Two symmetric indicators—at 11 o’clock and 1 o’clock—display these settings. The movement, caliber UR-7.30, offers a 50-hour power reserve.
This timepiece rides on a yellow vulcanized rubber strap with a Velcro closure and is a limited edition of 35 pieces, priced at CHF 150,000 before taxes. As Urwerk notes, the Black Star marks the closing chapter of the 230 collection, a final story arc that promises fresh adventures in 2026. Curious to dive deeper? Visit urwerk.com for more details.
Would you like this rewritten version to lean more toward technical specifications, or keep a balanced narrative that blends history, design, and collector context? Also, should I add a brief comparison to the Polaris and Eagle editions to help newcomers understand the lineage?
