Reference 2, Platinum

The Reference 2 arrived in 1986 as the definitive complication—a perpetual calendar—of the reborn Pratt-Baumberger Urban Jürgensen era. Over seven years, 172 examples were made across all metals. Just 50 were made in this platinum. More than any other work, the Reference 2 defined what the revived Urban Jürgensen would go on to create. 

Urban Jürgensen's modern chapter begins with a name nobody was using. The Copenhagen house traces to watchmaker Jürgen Jürgensen's 1773 partnership and his son Urban (1776–1830), who trained under Breguet and Arnold, but by the 1970s the name was dormant. Peter Baumberger, a Swiss dealer, acquired the rights in 1979 and completed the purchase of the company in 1985, then hired the English watchmaker and noted technical genius Derek Pratt as technical director. Pratt and Baumberger made this bet on Urban Jürgensen at the peak of the quartz crisis, buying old equipment as many Swiss manufactures left mechanical, manual watchmaking entirely.  

The Reference 2 departed in several meaningful ways from the Reference 1. Its stepped-bezel, two-body 38mm case had a more contemporary soldered-teardrop lug profile, the Observatoire handset was introduced, and thoroughly reworked Frédéric Piguet ébauches were introduced.  

Perhaps more importantly, the masterful dial work did not change—executed each by Pratt in the early years. Each dial took Pratt roughly a week—with no accommodation to variance or faults. Later in production, Pratt taught Baumberger dial-making technique as well. In 1996 Voutilainen began at Urban Jürgensen and took over from Pratt. This example was likely created in 1992, sold 1994. Cut from solid silver, its clous de Paris center, basketweave subdials, and brushed chapter ring were engine-turned by hand, each line a single stroke on a manually operated machine; one lapse scraps the blank. 

The movement is a Frédéric Piguet calibre 71, 2.4mm thick and 35 jewels, carrying a Lemania-developed perpetual calendar module Baumberger secured exclusively which landed its displays with immense symmetry. Well beyond ébauche standard, it was finished with Geneva stripes, perlage, and hand anglage, and fitted with a 21k gold rotor. 

The Reference 2 set a foundation that all following Urban Jürgensen has built upon, including the Nokia Investors, Voutilainen, and Rosenfield years. It established the perpetual calendar and svelte proportions as of paramount importance to the brand. Yet, all historic aspects pale in comparison to the quality of the work Pratt performed in these early years. His story, his focus and craft, produced some of the most beautiful dials made at a point in time when others were betting the industry had folded. 

This Reference 2 presents in exceptional overall condition. Its case bears light signs of occasional wear, commensurate with careful sparing use. The edges and hallmarks are extremely sharp with no signs of any rounding. Its case is remarkably well-preserved. The dial shows no fault and is preserved in its original form unmarred. The calibre FP71 is running well in specification on our timing equipment. This example comes with Inner & Outer Boxes, Certificate of Origin, Platinum Pin Buckle, and Strap.

This example is modelled on an average-sized 7-inch wrist.