opposite approach
It is odd to see the names of Laurent Ferrier and URWERK so close to each other. They are both small independent watchmakers, yes, but are about as different as one can imagine. The former is renowned for elegant, classical and traditional timepieces. The latter is an innovative, boundary-pushing maison that constantly challenges and redefines the elements of a timepiece. For them to collaborate, then, assures something special, and that is the Arpal One.
At first glance, it seems very much a URWERK creation — there is no dial, there are no hands. Instead, the watch uses one of URWERK’s signature movements: four numbered satellites that sweep successively across the minutes track. It is unconventional, but unquestionably intuitive and readable. Laurent Ferrier’s influence is evident in the restrained design and streamlined case, inspired by Ferrier’s love of automobiles. The case is made of a unique material that gave the watch its name — ARPAL+ is an alloy specially developed for this watch, and is tougher and more resistant
to wear and corrosion than even stainless steel or white gold.
The Arpal One is one-off created for the 2017 edition of Only Watch, a charity event that seeks to raise funds for research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It ended up fetching CHF100,000 (RM413,000) at auction.
