Urwerk Ref. UR-210Y “Black Hawk”
Inventory Number: WW2109007LC
Made circa 2005, 43.8 X 53.6mm, high-tech titanium and AlTiN (Aluminum titanium nitride)-coated steel case, with Cal. UR-7.10 self-winding movement, 51 jewels, approximately 39 hours power reserve. Winding efficiency selector on the caseback.
The UR-210Y features a high-tech, oversized, three-dimensional retrograde minute hand. It encloses the hour satellite and indicates the time as it transverses the 0-to-60-minute scale. Then in less than 0.1 of a second, the hand flies back to dock with the next hour satellite.
Functions: Patented revolving satellite complication with wandering hour and three-dimensional retrograde minutes; power reserve indicator; winding efficiency indicator (patent pending).
About the whole mechanism
Each section of the minute-hand mechanism contains a four-sided aluminum satellite featuring 1 of the 12-hour values on each side. At the appropriate hour, the minute hand moves into position at 0m, and the respective hour satellite rotates to the respective hour value within the aluminum cage. At the end of 59m, the minute hand snaps back to its starting point and the next appropriate hour satellite is already in place, ready to begin its path again. Notably, this reset takes place in less than one-tenth of a second.
The winding efficiency indicator will measure the winding efficiency over the last two hours. If the wearer's activity has been good enough to replenish the UR-210Y’s energy levels, the efficiency indicator will point emphatically to the green zone. If the wearer has not generated enough energy, the winding efficiency indicator will point to the red zone.
Once the watch indicates an insufficient supply of energy, the wearer can then position the winding efficiency selector at the back of the watch to “Full” and then the rotor will convert the slightest movement into stored energy. In this configuration, a turbine connected to the rotor provides smooth, unimpeded power. But if the wearer is more active, then that may provide more power than required and unnecessarily wear the mechanism. In that case, the wearer would position the winding efficiency selector to “Reduced” to engage the rotor damping system. An air turbine compressor mounted on ruby bearings spins and creates internal resistance —enough friction to slow down or dampen the automatic winding rotor. In the “Stop” mode, the automatic winding system is disabled completely and the UR-210Y runs off reserve power and may require manual winding.
On loan from the private collections of Mr. IAO.
