Urban Jurgensen Exhibition With Timepieces From the Helmut Crott Collection

October 31, 2023

I've never liked the phrase "if you know you know." Whether or not intentional, it often feels like its use has the intent of making those who don't "know" feel excluded. This year is the 250th anniversary of Urban Jrgensen's founding, and for those who might not know much about the modern Urban Jrgensen brand (or the original Dane watchmaker who lent the brand his name), it's never a better time to learn. Alongside its Geneva Watch Auction: XVIII this week, Phillips is presenting a special exhibition celebrating 250 years of Jrgensen, featuring timepieces from the collection of Dr. Helmut Crott. The collection of more than 25 watches is on display at La Rserve outside Geneva from November 1C4.? The story of the Jrgensen watchmaking family begins in the 18th century with the birth of J?rgen J?rgensen, who is credited with bringing new theoretical and practical techniques to the gilded structure of craftsmen in Denmark. Eventually, he traveled to Germany and Switzerland. J?rgen's eldest son, Urban Jrgensen, would carry on the family's name, becoming the most important watchmaker not only in his family, but in all of Denmark. He received training from Abraham-Louis Breguet, Ferdinand Berthoud, and others, and would go on to produce watches and marine chronometers throughout his life.? An Urban Jrgensen deck-watch chronometer from 1812 with Arnold's spring detent escapement, series of 8. Eventually, the Jrgensen name fell out of the family. This is when Peter Baumberger and Derek Pratt acquired the mark with the goal of bringing it back to its former glory. Under the guidance of Baumberger, Pratt lent his expertise as a master watchmaker and began producing beautiful, complicated watches for a revitalized Urban Jrgensen.?Baumberger tragically passed in 2010, and this is when Dr. Crott acquired the brand. Since his early days as an auctioneer, Crott had known Baumberger and Pratt, and he began personally collecting early Urban Jrgensen pocket watches in the 1980s. Eventually, independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen was entrusted with the stewardship of the Jrgensen name (we interviewed him about it here).? Derek Pratt for Jrgensen Oval No 1, finished by Voutilainen. The platinum pocket watch features a one-minute flying tourbllon, remontoire, constant force spring detent chronometer escapement with jumping seconds, power reserve indicator, thermometer, and moonphase. Over the years, Dr. Crott kept collecting Jrgensen watches, both the original pocket watches of the Jrgensen family and the contemporary creations of Pratt and Baumberger. Now, he's put 27 watches from his collection on display with the help of Phillips. To be clear, none of these are being offered at this year's Geneva auction (there are three different Jrgensen watches in this weekend's sale). It's a display to commemorate 250 years of Jrgensen watchmaking, from one of the maker's most important collectors and stewards.? Urban Jrgensen prototype from 2012 with patented pivoted detent chronometer escapement. Alongside the physical exhibition in Geneva, Phillips has put together a nice catalog of the collection, complete with a detailed brand history, written by Dr. Crott. Even more, there's a three-part video interview with Crott about Jrgensen, which you can find here. It's perhaps the most comprehensive cataloging of Jrgensen watches and history we've ever seen, with the help of a true scholar of watches, and specifically of Jrgensen.?Together, it's an excellent effort to help educate all of us on the importance of the name Urban Jrgensen in watchmaking and the impact it continues to have on the world of watches.?Celebrating 250 years of Jrgensen: Timepieces from the collection of Dr. Helmut Crott is on display at La Rserve from November 1C4. For more, visit this page dedicated to Urban Jrgensen.