Even in today's world where luxury mechanical watches are booming among the wealthy and collectors worldwide, the name Urban Jurgensen is not widely known. Furthermore, even those who have seen one are likely to be extremely limited. This is because, despite its history spanning well over 200 years, this brand's meticulous craftsmanship means it produces less than 100 pieces per year. It's rare for a watch to even be available on the market. Here, we'll delve into the "miracle that is Urban Jurgensen," a watch only available to the select few.

The Long History of Urban Jurgensen, a Watch for the Chosen

Urban Jurgensen's hometown is the maritime nation of Denmark. Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark in the 18th century, was known as the "Paris of Northern Europe," thriving culturally and economically. Its roots lie in a workshop established in 1773 by Jørgen Jørgensen, a skilled watchmaker who introduced the watch industry to the area and served as court watchmaker. His son, born in 1776, would become Denmark's greatest watchmaker, Urban Jørgensen.

A chronometer made by Urban Jørgensen
Following his father's wishes, Urban Jørgensen trained in Paris, London, Geneva, and Le Roch from a young age. Among his training locations was the prestigious Breguet workshop in Paris. After returning to Japan in 1810, he began producing marine chronometers. Denmark, then one of the world's leading maritime nations, required timepieces that minimized the effects of waves and ensured accuracy. His timepieces boasted exceptional precision, and were adopted by both the Danish Navy and the Royal Navy. In recognition of his achievements, King Frederik VI of Denmark bestowed upon him the honor of Royal Warrant Holder. He was knighted in 1824, and Urban Jurgensen's name became synonymous with the world's greatest watchmaker. Following his death in 1830, his two sons continued to thrive in the hands of the Jurgensen family. His eldest son, Jules, studied in Switzerland and founded a new workshop, Jules Jurgensen Copenhagen, in Le Locle. His second son, Louis, inherited the company, Urban Jurgensen & Sonner. This unique collaboration between Denmark and Switzerland allowed the Jürgensens to maintain their position as a leader in the industry, even during the 19th century, a time when watchmaking technology made remarkable advances. The watches they produced won medal after medal at world's fairs and industrial exhibitions, winning a total of 34 international awards between 1834 and 1912. However, with the death of Jacques Alfred Jürgensens, who won the Grand Prix at the 1900 Paris World's Fair, in 1912, the Jürgensens family line came to an end. Urban Jürgensensens & Sonner continued to exist, but was managed under various shareholders.


Although the company has changed hands many times, the weight of the history it has built up over the years has ensured that the Jürgensen name remains untarnished. When watchmaker Peter Baumberger joined Urban Jürgensen & Sonner in 1979 (and later acquired management rights), Jürgensen watches once again made their appearance before watch enthusiasts as a small maison committed to high-quality, limited-edition watches. After his death, the developer of many innovative mechanisms, Søren Jenri Petersen acquired the company in 2015 and became President and CEO.

The Reference 9, featuring an exquisite perpetual clock
Under the leadership of Danish designer Petersen, luxury watchmaker Urban Jürgensen continues its tradition of timeless craftsmanship. The P8 movement, influenced by the marine chronometer technology created by Urban Jürgensen and his two sons, is a testament to the craftsmanship of the timepiece, with elements such as grenade dials, pannier guilloching, and iconic hands… These elements have been reinvented and further evolved for the modern era, thanks to the skills of highly skilled artisans and a deep respect for the Maison's nearly 250-year history.

The First Sports Watch, "Jürgensen One"
Urban Jürgensen won over a new generation of fans with the launch of the Jürgensen One Collection, a luxury stainless steel sports watch, in 2019. However, behind its seemingly modern design lies the Maison's traditional aesthetic, which is perhaps why it has earned the watchmaker's recognition among discerning watch enthusiasts.

A new generation of Urban Jürgensen, who freely travels between the Maison's past and future and wields magical technology to create one-of-a-kind timepieces, may be the one most looking forward to these creations: Urban Jürgensen, a watchmaker who lived through the turbulent 19th century.


For inquiries about Urban Jurgensen products, please visit the following website:
https://urban-jurgensen.jp/