t the age of 16, once he had finished his watchmaking studies in Denmark, Jürgen Jürgensen travelled to Paris, to study and work with the famous watchmakers there. For several years he worked with Ferdinand Berthoud and Pierre Le Roy among many others, and he became a lifelong friend of Abraham-Louis Breguet. After leaving Paris he spent some time in Geneva, where he made the contacts and friends he needed to purchase watch components and movement blanks.

On his return to Denmark he set himself up in the workshop that belonged to his close friend Isaac Larpent, and began working on his first repeating watch. Watches from that time were signed “Larpent & Jürgensen”.

He and his wife, Anna Bruun, went on to have six children, the oldest of whom, Urban, was born on 5 August 1776. Urban learned watchmaking in Denmark and proved to be very talented. When he turned 21 his father sent him to Le Locle in Switzerland, to further his education and learn about the latest horological developments. He spent 18 months working with Frédéric Houriet, a friend and business partner of his father.

Urban spent time in Geneva, and then Paris, where he worked with Abraham-Louis Breguet, from whom he learned a great deal, and gained inspiration. He travelled to England, where he met the famous watchmaker John Arnold.

Upon his return to Denmark in 1801 he joined his father’s business and started making fine precision chronometers under his own name: Urban Jürgensen. His years of study and work with famous master watchmakers had given him the knowledge and good taste he needed to create outstanding timepieces of the highest calibre. He made fine pocket chronometers, marine chronometers for ships and many precision clocks.

More information to follow in the next episode!