After years of speculation and anticipation, historic watchmaker Urban Jürgensen has officially relaunched. Now under the direction of renowned independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, the brand is taking a refined yet bold approach to honoring its centuries-old legacy.
The revival follows the 2021 acquisition of the brand by a group of investors who brought Voutilainen on board as Co-CEO. He first worked with Urban Jürgensen in 1996 and now leads the watchmaking direction. Alongside him is Co-CEO Alex Rosenfield, handling marketing and sales. Rosenfield, the son of Guggenheim Partners President Andrew M. Rosenfield, was part of the original purchasing team. Kari’s daughter, Venla Voutilainen, joins the team as Chief Operating Officer and head of aftersales service.
The relaunch introduces three new calibers and a design language that draws from different moments in Urban Jürgensen’s 250-year history. The updated watches reflect a deep respect for craftsmanship while presenting a clear modern identity.
Urban Jürgensen’s origins date back to 1776. Its namesake founder was born in Copenhagen and trained under some of the greatest watchmakers of his time, including Jacques-Frédéric Houriet, Abraham-Louis Breguet, and John Arnold. By the time he returned to Denmark in 1801, he was among the most skilled watchmakers in Europe. Before his death in 1830, he had produced over 700 watches, including 45 marine chronometers.
The brand’s modern history began in 1979 when Swiss entrepreneur Peter Baumberger purchased the rights to the name. Alongside watchmaker Derek Pratt, Baumberger helped usher in a new era, marked by distinctive features like guilloché dials, teardrop lugs, stepped bezels, and Breguet-style hands. These designs came to define the brand’s identity for collectors in the 1980s and ’90s.
Voutilainen, who contributed to the brand during this period, now returns to lead it once more. His familiarity with the Baumberger-Pratt era adds continuity to the brand’s evolution.
After Baumberger and Pratt passed away, the brand saw several changes in leadership. From 2011 to 2021, it was guided by horological expert Dr. Helmut Crott. During that time, Urban Jürgensen was reunited with its related historical brand, Jules Jürgensen, after nearly two centuries. A Danish private equity group later acquired the company in 2014, with Jean-François Mojon taking charge of movement design.
The 2021 acquisition marked a fresh start, but the public had to wait through 2023—mistakenly expected as the brand’s revival year due to its 250th anniversary. That date actually marked the start of Urban Jürgensen’s father’s business, not the relaunch itself. Now, after careful planning, the brand reveals a thoughtful balance between history and innovation.
Urban Jürgensen’s new direction blends multiple eras of its heritage, paying tribute not only to its founder but also to key figures like Baumberger and Pratt. Under Voutilainen’s guidance, the brand is not simply reviving old designs but reinterpreting them for a modern audience.
The launch of new calibers and a refreshed design vision signals a promising chapter for one of watchmaking’s oldest and most storied names. With a leadership team grounded in both deep horological expertise and fresh commercial perspective, Urban Jürgensen appears well-positioned for a strong return to form.
Related Topics: