URWERK, the independent watchmaking house founded by Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei, has unveiled the UR-230 “Black Star,” the final piece in the 230 collection triptych. Released in December 2025, this striking timepiece marks a bold return to black, a shade that, according to co-founder Martin Frei, “does not deny light but reveals it by draping it in shadows”. Frei, the artist and chief designer, draws inspiration from astrophysics, noting that the watch embodies the “paradoxical presence” of a collapsing Black Star—a star that absorbs light like a black hole but is visible “at the cosmic boundary between being and disappearing”. The Black Star concludes the 230 collection chapter after the raw texture of the Carbon CTP in the “Eagle” and the mineral whiteness of the ceramic “Polaris”.
The UR-230 “Black Star” is a limited edition of just 35 pieces, showcasing URWERK‘s DNA with its signature wandering hours. The time is displayed via a satellite complication featuring three cubic hour satellites connected by a central hub, moving across a sector over 60 minutes. A magnificent 3D retrograde minutes hand takes charge of the active hour, guiding it along the minutes rail before instantly flying back to zero to engage the next satellite. The movement powering this creation is the Calibre UR-7.30, developed by URWERK, which beats at a frequency of 28,800 vph – 4 Hz. The baseplate is crafted from ARCAP P40, while the central carrousel and screws are in grade 5 titanium.
Protecting this complex Calibre UR-7.30 is a highly original and high-performance case. At its core, the movement is shielded by a hermetic titanium container, effectively functioning as a “mechanical safe”. The outer shell is formed by an exclusive composite ceramic case and a black DLC titanium back. This material choice was a significant design challenge, as master watchmaker Felix Baumgartner explained his desire to use ceramic for its hard, shiny, and precise look, despite its fragility, which necessitated finding a protective solution.
The solution URWERK developed is an exclusive ceramic composite, crafted specifically for them with integrated layers of braided ceramic, fibreglass, and carbon fibre within a polymer matrix. When machined, this unique ceramicreveals a vibrant black-light texture: a shiny relief surface illuminated with sparkling dots that create a dense, vibrant black finish. The dimensions of the watch are 44.81 mm wide, 53.55 mm long, and 14.30 mm thick.
In line with the brand’s commitment to advanced mechanical innovation, the self-winding UR-230 is regulated by an exclusive dual turbine system. One turbine absorbs external shocks, while the other acts as a true aerodynamic brake(Air Brake), regulating the airflow of the automatic winding mechanism. A control on the back allows the user to adjust the rotor load or completely deactivate it to switch to manual-winding mode. This bold piece of art and high-tech engineering, which features a vulcanized rubber strap with a Velcro fastening, is priced at CHF 150,000 (approximately USD 187,000 and EUR 166,000).