The brand recalls its story from its humble beginnings to its success today by honouring the women that helped along the way.

Most of your will know Geneva-based brand URWERK for its bold and amazing mechanical creations. And their one-of-a-kind watches have seen the brand’s popularity skyrocket. In fact, you can often see an URWERK on the wrist of a guy named Michael Jordan.

But URWERK’s rise is also a story of fortuitous encounters, as the brand’s creators admit. Back in 1996, URWERK was just a concept, developed by three young men under the age of 30. While they were full of ideas, the trio was short on cash. The headquarters of the brand at that time consisted of one large room above Geneva’s oldest pizza restaurant near the center of the town.

URWERK UR-102

The brand would not have succeeded at the pace that it did, and to the level that it is today, without the help of some remarkable women. Recognizing the importance of their goodwill, URWERK is taking the opportunity to give them the recognition they deserve.

On the brand’s website, you can now find a multi-episode feature paying homage to the Women of URWERK. In the first installment, we learn about Christina Kreyenbühl, the brand’s “godmother” in a way.

Christina Kreyenbühl, an early supporter

Ms. Kreyenbühl was the first to show faith and contributed to their first success as young entrepreneurs. She bought their first watch creation on the basis of only a drawing. The money was used to develop the iconic UR-102 model in steel, which was presented at Baselworld in 1997. The rest, as they say, is history.

As Ms. Kreyenbühl recalls:

“I’m proud to have been URWERK’s first customer. They had this obsession with starting up an original watch brand. Felix and Martin had the ideas and the determination. They also had a real desire. All they needed was a little financial help. I bought the first URWERK watch on the strength of a sketch that caught my fancy. It was the first capital investment in the brand. » - Christina Kreyenbühl”

A sketch of the UR-102

It’s always great to hear stories of success. It’s even better to hear stories of the beginning of that success. And the fact that URWERK is honouring the women that have helped the brand succeed is even better still. I suppose it is true what they say, “Behind every great man is a great woman.” In URWERK’s case, there appear to be many great women, which we will soon discover. (VJ)