The Urban Jürgensen reference 1142L Prototype was part of a very small series produced during the development phase of the brand’s in-house calibres P4 and the spring detente iteration of the same movement, designated the P8. They were the fruits of a collaboration between Jean-Francois Mojon’s Chronode movement manufacture (that would go on to develop the Legacy Machine 1 and 2 for MB&F) and Kari Voutilainen.
The calibre P4 was designed to be versatile, with iterations presented with and without a power reserve indicator, and central as well as subsidiary seconds. The manually wound movement was also constructed to accommodate a self-winding rotor as part of any future development.
It is testament to the P4’s robust architecture and impressive chronometry – underpinned by twin barrels and a simple, lever escapement – that a small number of prototypes were fully finished, decorated and sold to clients. The rarity of such Reference 11L prototypes is heightened by the fact that many of them are entirely unique in their configuration. Urban Jürgensen, currently headed by Voutilainen and in the midst of a planned resurgence, has confirmed this particular Reference 11L as one such prototype.
This reference 1142L features a 42mm rose gold case. The rounded midcase has several stepped facets. On the dial side it gives way to a concave bezel, while on the movement side is a screwed-down exhibition caseback. The sapphire crystal rises marginally over the bezel and is gently domed. The brand’s logo as well as the precious metal hallmarks are stamped on to the thin bezel of the caseback.
The lugs, teardrop-shaped in profile and soldered on to the midcase, curve down sharply. Their form underlines the firm grasp of ergonomics that informed the case design – the curved ends of the black, alligator-grained leather strap complement the form of the midcase and then go on to follow the trajectory of the down-turned lugs exactly. Together, the strap and lugs appear entirely integrated. The strap is secured by a signed, horse-shoe style rose gold pin buckle.
The dial is classic Urban Jürgensen fare. On the outside runs a brushed chapter with printed black chemin de fer minutes and Roman hours. This is only interrupted by the subsidiary seconds register at 6 o’clock. This register too is framed by a thin brushed chapter with black printed plots. The hours hand, as is typical for the brand, is observatoire style with a gold aperture insert. The hand itself is heat blued, as are the minutes and seconds indicators. At the base, the hands feature faceted rose gold bases and are mirror finished. The central portion of the dial features engine-turning, with a basket weave pattern used to visually distinguish the subsidiary seconds register.
This chronometre-grade iteration of the calibre P4, seen through the exhibition caseback, is thoughtfully finished. The balance wheel and the skeletonised bridge that secures it, are framed by two large bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève that appears as is radiating from the balance. This decoration is applied with remarkable consistency across bridge plates. The words “Twin barrel lever chronometer”, the brand mark, jewel count (25) and adjustment for isochronism and five positions are engraved in gold on the bridges. All visible pivots and jewels wear black polished countersinks while some feature chatons.
Peeking through from underneath the bridges is the keyless works that hacks the movement and one of two barrels that provides 72 hours of reserve. The ratchet wheel and click spring, both black polished, are also on display.
This prototype reference 1142L comes with paperwork hand-signed by Voutilainen. It is a consequential piece as one of the first to be tested with the manually wound calibre P4. That this is paired with one of the most classical iterations of the brand’s aesthetic makes this piece all the more compelling.
If sold within the United Kingdom, this Urban Jürgensen 1142L will be subject to 20% VAT
