Urban Jürgensen's Epic Relaunch With Kari Voutilainen Is Here

To watch collectors and those deeply immersed in the world of horology, Urban Jürgensen is a special name. Since its 1773 founding as a family-owned business, it's been a craft leader in the space: Founded by Jürgen Jürgensen, the brand rose to prominence under his son Urban, who elevated it with scientific innovation and earned commissions from both the Danish Navy and royal court. But the mark has also changed hands over the centuries.

As of this June, the watch label is undergoing a major makeover, courtesy of its new owners, one collector and one very celebrated watchmaker. Led by Andrew M. Rosenfield, the Rosenfield family bought Urban Jürgensen in 2021. Rosenfield, who is an independent watch collector and president of Guggenheim Partners, appointed his son Alex and watchmaking legend Kari Voutilainen to be co-CEOs. Together, Rosenfield and the Finnish rebooted the beloved brand with three timepieces. 

"Since the 18th century when Urban himself helmed the company, Urban Jürgensen has stood for the pursuit of horological excellence in its engineering and aesthetic fields,” Voutilainen said in a statement. “To return now, and to shape its next era with the same care that defined its past, is both a joy and a duty. We are creating watches that honor time and that through handmaking and finishing have a soul.”

"In effect, a seemingly disparate ensemble of international characters, in fact, pays immense tribute to the internationalism of Urban Jürgensen," Revolution Watch's Wei Koh said on-stage during a press conference. "When I first set eyes on the first three watches, all the doubts in my mind dissipated, and in place of [them] was something extraordinary: awe and respect. I consider these to be [impeccable] expressions of the authentic story of Urban Jürgensen over different time periods, beautifully expressed, marvelously finished, and representing some of the most important technical achievements of all time."

At first glance, pieces in the 2025 comeback collection seem understated, and that’s precisely the appeal. The beauty and craftsmanship is in the details rather than anything obviously flashy. Hand-guilloché dials create an intricate and textured base on each piece. On the back side of each watch, its elements extraordinarily and visibly tick in a careful choreography of mechanical precision.

The new UJ-1 Anniversary Watch pays special homage to the brand's legacy as well as Voutilainen's career. It's the most prized and pricey of the new items, as it's limited to only 75 pieces in total available. The two other watches include the UJ-2, which features double-wheel natural escapement, and the UJ-3, made in collaboration with watchmaker Andreas Strehler and made with a moon phase indicator that's designed to last for about 14,000 years. Each boasts a 39-millimeter diameter, minus the UJ-1 which clocks in just wider at 39.5 millimeters across.

Each of the three watches in the 2025 collection are distinguished by the mathematical and engineering precision required to successfully make these pieces, which serves as a testament to the in-house level of craftsmanship at Urban Jürgensen and Voutilainen's vision. Each one is a marvel of geometry and engineering, whether it's the satisfying simplicity of a watch face, the floating barrels and rubies on the back, or its domed sapphire crystal.

“Reviving Urban Jürgensen as a family-led, independent house is a rare privilege,” Rosenfield added. “Founded by a pioneer and upheld by generations of mastery, Urban Jürgensen is one of the great names in watchmaking history, and we are honored to steward it. This means making sure every detail, every story, and every watch lives up to what this name deserves. We believe that the way we keep time inspires how we spend it."

Prices are available upon request.

To celebrate its relaunch and fresh luxury watches, Urban Jürgensen threw a dinner party in at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, where celebrities and collectors alike gathered to support the Danish brand's new chapter under American ownership. Following multiple courses, guests then flowed into a separate room filled with a medley of passed deserts and a live performance by 19-year-old English singer Sienna Spiro. Those in attendance included Kyle Kuzma, Ego Nwodim, Leighton Meester, Nicholas Duvernay, Scout LaRue Willis, and more.