250-Year-Old Watch Brand Revival | History & Future
Urban Jürgensen, the 252-year-old watch brand, has relaunched, marking a new era for the Danish watchmaker with a festivity at Santa Monica Airport. The event, attended by celebrities and industry figures, honored self-reliant watchmaking and the vision of owner Andrew Rosenfield, who acquired the company in 2021. Bringing in watchmaker Kari Voutilainen was a pivotal move, ensuring the brand’s commitment to exquisite craftsmanship. News Directory 3 could see the importance of this story.discover how Urban Jürgensen plans to blend its storied history with future innovations.
Urban Jürgensen Relaunch Celebrates Independent Watchmaking
Updated June 10, 2025
Santa Monica, Calif. — A hangar at the Santa Monica Airport transformed into a jazz club last Thursday as Urban Jürgensen, the 252-year-old Danish watchmaker, celebrated its latest chapter. celebrities including Rashida Jones, ego Nwodim of SNL, and Dylan Efron attended the event.
Though, the true stars were industry insiders, such as watchmaker Rexhep Rexhepi, who drew admiration from attendees like Milwaukee Bucks player Kyle Kuzma. The event underscored the commitment of Urban Jürgensen’s owner, Andrew Rosenfield, to supporting technically skilled independent brands and the art of independent watchmaking.
Urban Jürgensen debuted three new watches, marking the official launch of its new era.Founded in 1773 by Jürgen Jürgensen, the company has experienced numerous ownership changes, each influencing its direction.After a period of obscurity in the 20th century,an acquisition in the 1980s led to a resurgence.
Alex Rosenfield, CEO and son of Andrew, said the Rosenfield family learned of Urban Jürgensen’s financial difficulties and acquired the company in 2021. As then, they have been preparing for this relaunch, focusing on how to revitalize a historic independent brand while honoring its legacy.
A key step was bringing in Kari Voutilainen,a Finnish watchmaker known for his hand finishing. Alex Rosenfield said that asking Voutilainen to be involved was the first thing they did.Voutilainen has said, “I can’t do things that are half done. If you finish something, it should be finished correctly.”
What’s next
Urban Jürgensen plans to continue its focus on high-quality, independent watchmaking, leveraging its heritage while embracing innovation under its new leadership.