Urban Jürgensen Prototype 11 L, Rose Gold

The Ref. 11 L “Prototype” was part of a very small series, produced during the development phase for the in-house Urban Jürgensen calibers P4 and P8. Variants of the P4 were manufactured with or without power reserve indicators, as well as variations in central and subsidiary seconds. The P4 movement is manually-wound, though such prototype’s distinctively exhibit sufficient spacing, designed to accommodate a bi-directional rotor. The movement’s robust, advanced performance and reliability meant that few “Prototype” examples were ever fully completed and sold to clients. The rarity of such pieces is further emphasised through variation in dial design, with this yet to have been truly defined. As a result, many Reference 11 L “Prototype” examples are individually unique. Both the movement and case are signed (No.3).

Urban Jürgensen have a rich and varied history, dating back to the late 18th Century. The manufactures namesake, Urban Jürgensen (1776-1830), along with his father Jürgen Jürgensen have long been credited with introducing the watch industry to Denmark. Shortly after the birth of his son in 1776, Jürgen Jürgensen moved to Le Locle in Switzerland to work with Jacques-Frédéric Houriet, laying the foundations for a Danish-Swiss connection which still exists over 240 years later. Urban Jürgensen followed in his father’s footsteps in 1797, travelling to Le Locle to work with Houriet. In the following years, he also studied with Breguet in Paris and Arnold in London. In 1804, Urban Jürgensen published his book “General principles concerning timekeeping by clocks and watches”. The company was handed down through the family until 1912 when the last direct Jürgensen descendant passed away. In 1985 the brand was acquired by Peter Baumberger, who together with master English horologist Derek Pratt, set about continuing a legacy of elegant and complicated timepieces, whilst pioneering concepts of performance, stability and movement aesthetics. Urban Jürgensen came full circle in 2014, returning to Danish hands, after 30 years of Swiss ownership.

This example, delivered in 2012, features a 42 mm rose gold case and Urban Jürgensen’s distinctive teardrop lugs and convex bezel. It has an engine turned, silvered dial with two contrasting guilloche patterns at the centre. It features an outer chapter of black minute markers, with a second chapter of black Roman numeral, hour-markers, and blue steel Urban Jürgensen hands. The dial further features a ‘3 day’ power reserve indicator, below the manufactures signature at 12 o’clock. The Urban Jürgensen Ref. 11 L “Prototype” movement has been expertly finished and elaborately decorated, with tapering lines towards the escapement wheel in Côtes de Genève patterning. The movement has been adjusted to heat, cold, isochronism and 5 positions, with 25 working jewels.

This watch comes with an original burgundy Urban Jürgensen leather strap, and a matching 18k rose gold tang buckle.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.

Closer look

Brand:	Urban Jürgensen
Model:	Prototype Ref. 11 L (No. 3)
Movement:	mechanical manual-winding in-house 'prototype'
Functions:	hours, minutes, sub-seconds
Features:	display back, blue steel hands, power reserve display
Case:	42 mm 18-carat rose gold
Crystal:	sapphire front and back
Bracelet:	burgundy leather strap with rose gold tang buckle
Year:	2012
Box & papers:	full set - box and papers