7:44:28 PM: Robert Downey Jr. arrives at the premiere of Spiderman: Homecoming with a special guest on his arm… or on his wrist. None other than his co-star, the Urwerk UR-110RG. When the actor and avid watch collector insisted on the timepiece to be part of Iron Man’s high-tech suit in the movie, little did the Swiss manufacture know that they were joining a fascinating tradition. The titanium and 18K rose-gold timepiece became the newest wristwatch to be immortalized on the Hollywood screen, and not merely as part of the character’s costume. In fact its hyper-modern design and mechanical movement, displaying the time by way of fascinating orbiting satellites and rotating modules, represented the perfect candidate to become an active part of the movie’s storyline, as Tony Stark/Iron Man would rely on it as one of his crucial gadgets. Yet the match-made-in-heaven nearly never happened, as Urwerk believed a prank was being played on them when they heard the request. It was upon Downey Jr.’s insistence that the watchmaker realized the passion, and legitimacy, behind the unexpected demand.
Yet as the Hollywood lights faded and the cameras were turned off, the Urwerk UR-110RG had only begun its journey. Having made its mark on the big screen through the science-fiction realm, it was time to turn the attention to the real world. Urwerk and Robert Downey Jr. thus joined forces again, selling the watch at auction in Geneva to raise funds for Manusodany, a non-profit organization that helps fund development projects for disadvantaged residents of Haiti.
Fascinating/futuristic watchmaker Urwerk is a key Westime partner brand. The brainchild of innovative designer Martin Frei and master watchmaker Felix Baumgartner, Urwerk’s bold re-invisioning of how a watch communicates the time to the wearer has established a unique artful perspective in the watch world, and their masterful timepieces appeal to forward-thinking watch fan, as well as celebrities (and superheroes!)
