URWERK's EMC SR71: A Horological Tribute To Aerospace Excellence

Imagine strapping to your wrist a device that not only tells time with Swiss precision but also carries within it the legacy of Mach 3+ flights and clandestine reconnaissance missions. This is the EMC SR71, a limited series of just 10 pieces that marries URWERK's revolutionary Electro-Mechanical Control (EMC) technology with actual components from the legendary SR-71 Blackbird spy plane.

Born from a chance encounter between watchmaking mavericks and aviation enthusiasts, this horological marvel doesn't just pay homage to the Blackbird—it resurrects it. The titanium alloy that once sliced through the stratosphere at unimaginable speeds has been reforged into a crucial component of this extraordinary timepiece. As you wind the watch, you're not just powering a movement; you're engaging with aerospace history.

The EMC, first introduced in 2014, revolutionized the watchmaking industry by allowing wearers to measure and adjust their watch's precision in real-time. This groundbreaking concept earned URWERK double honors at the 2014 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève in the "Mechanical Exception" and "Innovation" categories, along with accolades from Revolution Asia and Robb Report USA.

The genesis of the EMC SR71 stems from a serendipitous meeting in December 2020 between URWERK's founders and two passionate enthusiasts: Jason Sarkoyan, an experienced watch collector and designer, and Dr. Roman Sperl, an aeronautical engineer and SR-71 Blackbird specialist. This collaboration, under the banner of their company Dreamland, aimed to create an exceptional timepiece that combines the best of strategic reconnaissance aviation with URWERK's horological expertise. The EMC SR71's most striking feature is its incorporation of actual SR-71 Blackbird fuselage material. The aircraft's titanium and secret alloy components have been melted down and repurposed as the watch's dynamo charging crank. This fusion of aerospace history and haute horlogerie creates a unique connection between the wearer and two pinnacles of human engineering.

Aesthetically, the EMC SR71 draws inspiration from the aircraft's cockpit instruments. The watch face features four separate dials, resembling an instrument panel. The seconds indicator at 2 o'clock is designed to evoke a stealth aircraft, while other dials display the EMC's performance in seconds per day (10 o'clock), power reserve (7 o'clock), and traditional hours and minutes (5 o'clock).

At the heart of the EMC SR71 is URWERK's in-house movement, meticulously crafted and tested to meet stringent precision standards. The watch's balance wheel is made from ARCAP, a non-magnetic and anti-corrosive alloy, and features an aerodynamic design to minimize air friction. A double barrel system ensures stable linear timing performance with an 80-hour power reserve.

The EMC's groundbreaking control function includes an optical sensor linked to the balance wheel, a high-frequency electronic oscillator, and an integrated circuit that calculates the differential between the movement's timing rate and the reference oscillator. This system allows wearers to assess and adjust their watch's accuracy with unprecedented precision.
URWERK's co-founders, Felix Baumgartner and Martin Frei, emphasize that the EMC SR71 is more than just a timepiece; it's an interactive experience that allows watch enthusiasts to delve into the heart of their timekeeper and understand its performance in real-time.

Priced at 150,000 Swiss Francs, the EMC SR71 comes with a NATO strap inspired by aeronautical safety straps, further reinforcing its aviation heritage. The watch's case, crafted from titanium and steel, measures 47.55mm in width and 17.58mm in thickness, making it a substantial presence on the wrist. This limited edition masterpiece not only showcases URWERK's continued innovation in the field of haute horlogerie but also serves as a tribute to one of the most extraordinary aircraft ever built.