Hands-On With The Urwerk EMC SR-71
I have never mastered packing light, which bit me during Geneva Watch Days 2024. I carried a relatively heavy backpack with camera gear, a video kit, and a daily swag collection. That’s not normally an issue, but the heat and humidity in Geneva were no joke. Then, my colleague Dave Sergeant took me on a very scenic route to the top of the old town to see the new Urwerk EMX SR-71. Thankfully, it was worth the trip.
People moan and complain about the abysmal weather in the UK, but when I think about my time in Germany or the very recent visit to Geneva, I’ll take the odd 17° day in August over the pounding heat in mainland Europe. Still, Dave, a UK citizen, was destined and determined to make me wish for the cool of London when he took the most circuitous route to the Urwerk boutique in Geneva’s old town. Stairs, winding cobblestone roads, and a seemingly endless parade of Rexhep Rexhepi workshops accompanied our trudge. We were both dripping, but ultimately, we made it to see the Urwerk EMC SR-71 (and, yes, I forgave Dave).
The Urwerk EMC SR-71
Before I go too deeply into the EMC SR-71, it’s worth mentioning that my colleague Thomas provided an in-depth overview of this watch a few weeks ago. This watch is a limited edition of 10 pieces to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the original Urwerk EMC, which stands for “Electro Mechanical Control.” Aside from the funky design, the watch incorporates an optical sensor to measure the balance wheel of the in-house mechanical movement. This information is then compared against a quartz module. The accuracy result of the mechanical movement is then displayed on the upper-left dial.
The idea is to test the watch in different environments or situations and then quickly adjust the balance spring via a small screw on the case back. Is this nerdy, overcomplicated stuff? You bet, but that’s why we love pedantic, audacious watches. As for the movement, the hand-winding in-house UR-EMC has a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 80 hours.
Crank up the EMC!
Where does this mechanical watch get its power? That’s the fun part because there’s a folding crank attached to the side of the case. Unfolding it reveals a precision-made (I’m guessing powdered metal) titanium crank with a small, knurled handle. The wearer rotates this forward several times to generate enough power via a Maxon generator. Then, the accuracy test can be performed by pressing a button on the lower-left side of the case. The process is cool and feels precise but oddly heavy-duty for such a small object. What were the results of playing with the EMC SR-71? When I performed a test with the watch on a table, the meter showed “0.” Then, when I tried it in the air and at an angle, the deviation changed to -5 seconds. That’s expected and also shows that the system works.
Where does the SR-71 come into play?
When we arrived at Urwerk (and after they gave us freezing wet towelettes), our host brought out a tray with the EMC SR-71. Next to it, there was a sample crank and a huge chunk of curved metal. Dreamland Aerospace, the company that collaborated with Urwerk on this project, acquired a piece of the famous spy plane’s fuselage. Then, the idea came to use some of this material for the EMC’s crank. Due to the high melting temperature of the titanium alloy, an external partner crafted the parts. Again, this is a small detail, but the thought of interacting first-hand with a piece of the legendary SR-71 is enticing. Seriously, the SR-71 was everyone’s favorite plane when I was a kid!
Wearing the EMC SR-71
For some folks, watches like the EMC SR-71 are too “out there” or weird. I used to be in that camp, but I like checking out these watches, and an open mind enables appreciation. On the wrist, the 47.55 × 49.57mm watch is oddly comfortable. Thank the titanium construction and articulating lugs that fold down and work well with the uber-comfy Velcro strap. In a way, this watch felt like the world’s priciest G-Shock, and I don’t think that’s an insult. In a nutshell, the watch wears its bulk well.
Urwerk EMC SR-71 Blackbird
Final thoughts
Urwerk is only making 10 numbered examples of the EMC SR-71, and that’s probably the right amount. The price is CHF 150,000, so ownership will remain exclusive. Still, it was one of the highlights of the trip to Geneva even if the hike was a hot one. When we finally left the boutique and ventured into the swampiness, we took a quick right turn, walked down the hill, and arrived at our starting point after roughly three minutes.
For more information on the EMC SR-71, visit the official Urwerk site.
