Most watches let you read the time in a single glance. URWERK asks you to watch it unfold. Its wandering-hours display, central to this timepiece, swaps conventional hands for hour satellites that travel along a curved minute track, turning a simple act into a small mechanical show.
The concept dates to the brand’s early work and returns in a sharper form with the URWERK UR-101 Green Mamba. The Geneva-based independent watchmaker first released the original UR-101 in 1997. Nearly three decades later, this limited edition watch keeps the model’s unusual character and adds a dark exterior with emerald-green accents.
The Green Mamba keeps the asymmetrical layout of the original. Its 41mm case is stainless steel with a matte black PVD finish, and it measures 10.3mm thick. The angular profile looks technical and slightly industrial, and the black treatment carries over to the caseback.
Collectors who admire the Green Mamba’s bold colour might also enjoy a playful take on wristwear, like BAIT and G-SHOCK’s banana-themed DW5600 tribute, a limited collaboration with a lighter tone.
A glare-proofed, metallised sapphire crystal covers the dial. The case is water resistant to 30 metres (3 ATM).
How the Urwerk Wandering Hours Watch Tells Time
In this mechanical watch, the time display relies on two hour satellites mounted on a rotating carousel. Each satellite carries an hour numeral and glides across a semicircular minute track spanning 180 degrees. The active satellite’s position shows the minutes, and its numeral shows the hour. When it reaches the end of the scale, the second satellite takes over and the cycle continues.
The emerald-green track on this model sets the Green Mamba apart from the black case and gives the model its name. Super-LumiNova fills both the hour and minute markers, so the display stays readable in low light. The dial has few extra elements, which leaves the moving satellites and the coloured track to carry the design.
Inside the urwerk wandering hours watch is the automatic UR-1.01V calibre, based on a Vaucher Manufacture movement. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), contains 28 jewels and offers a 48-hour power reserve. The movement’s construction combines copper, brass and ARCAP P40 components, and finishing includes snailing, sandblasting and satin-brushing. The screw heads are chamfered.
A black rubber strap with a black calfskin lining holds the watch in place. A black DLC-coated steel pin buckle completes the monochrome setup, which keeps the emerald track as the only real colour on the wrist.
URWERK limits the Green Mamba to 50 pieces worldwide, making it a limited edition watch. It costs CHF 33,000 ($39,370) excluding taxes, which places it firmly in the collector’s category for a dark, wearable take on an unusual mechanical classic.
For another take on premium mechanical-style luxury, see Sony’s gold-plated Walkman reimagined as an audiophile masterpiece, which pushes craftsmanship well beyond everyday gadgets.
Via yankodesign.com
Frequently asked questions
How does the URWERK wandering hours display show the time?
The display uses two hour satellites mounted on a rotating carousel, and each carries an hour numeral. The active satellite glides across a semicircular 180-degree minute track, where its position shows the minutes and its numeral shows the hour. When it reaches the end of the scale, the second satellite takes over and the cycle continues.
How many URWERK Green Mamba watches are being produced?
URWERK limits the Green Mamba to 50 pieces worldwide, making it a limited edition watch. This small run places it firmly in the collector’s category.
How much does the URWERK Green Mamba cost?
The Green Mamba costs CHF 33,000 ($39,370) excluding taxes.
What movement powers the URWERK Green Mamba watch?
The Green Mamba houses the automatic UR-1.01V calibre, which is based on a Vaucher Manufacture movement. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), contains 28 jewels, and offers a 48-hour power reserve.
More in
Design
All Design
More like this
Louis Erard Splits Dial Duties Across Two Movements in CHF 4,950 Futur Antérieur
Piaget's Second Warhol Watch Turns a Military Print into Stone Marquetry
Roger Dubuis Crafts Samurai-Inspired Masterpiece with Hand-Engraved 18K Gold Helmets
Mastering Time: Florian Güllert's Exquisite Engraving on Urwerk's 1,000-Year Pocket Watch
Benly Desktop 95 Watch Opens Pre-orders at $159 With November 2026 Shipping
