Timothée Chalamet Partners with Urban Jürgensen as Creative Advisor and Minority Investor

Timothée Chalamet, the Golden Globe-winning American-French actor and producer, has formalized his deep appreciation for independent watchmaking by becoming a minority partner and creative advisor for Urban Jürgensen. This move solidifies his long-standing interest in the brand, frequently observed wearing their timepieces at various high-profile events. His commitment reflects a shared vision with the company to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern perspectives, aiming to elevate the world of artisanal watchmaking. Chalamet's role will extend to contributing to brand initiatives, further bridging the gap between luxury horology and contemporary culture.

Chalamet's connection to intricate timepieces has been evident through his public appearances, where he has sported a diverse array of independent watches, from Simon Brette to Franck Muller and Akrivia. Notably, his preference often returned to the Urban Jürgensen UJ-2, a time-only model introduced during the brand's relaunch. He wore this particular watch during the promotion of his film “Marty Supreme,” and again when he secured the Golden Globe for Best Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for the same production, underscoring its personal significance.

Alex Rosenfield, the CEO of Urban Jürgensen, emphasized that Chalamet's engagement goes beyond fleeting trends, stemming instead from a profound respect for artisanal quality and meticulous work. Rosenfield stated that their collaboration is geared towards modernizing independent watchmaking while staying true to its foundational principles. This partnership aims to introduce a fresh, contemporary outlook to the sector, ensuring the brand remains relevant and innovative in its designs and philosophy.

The historical trajectory of Urban Jürgensen spans over 250 years, marked by various periods of ownership. The brand's most recent chapter began in 2021 when a consortium of investors, including Kari Voutilainen and the Rosenfield family, acquired it. This acquisition paved the way for a significant relaunch in 2025. Historically, Urban Jürgensen served as a distinguished watchmaker to the Danish Royal Court and a clockmaker to the Danish Navy. In more recent times, under the stewardship of Peter Baumberger, the brand gained recognition among collectors for its wristwatches and significant pocket watches, crafted with the expertise of figures such as Derek Pratt and Kari Voutilainen, who later returned to contribute to the brand's revival.

Chalamet articulated his motivation, revealing that a film director he greatly admired sparked his interest in the demanding world of artisanal watchmaking a few years prior. He described this form of craftsmanship as requiring extensive discipline, patience, and ultimately, mastery, drawing parallels to the precision and dedication inherent in filmmaking. His role as creative advisor, alongside his investment, involves contributing to various brand projects and initiatives. Urban Jürgensen has a history of collaborating with notable actors and artists, often employing avant-garde promotional strategies, such as integrating Danish furniture and food with timepieces in their imagery, and launching series like “Time Well Spent,” photographed by the acclaimed Ellen von Unwerth.

This strategic alliance between Timothée Chalamet and Urban Jürgensen represents a significant fusion of high-end horology with the cultural influence of a global celebrity. It signals a fresh direction for the brand, leveraging Chalamet's artistic sensibilities to reimagine luxury watch aesthetics and engagement, while preserving the exquisite craftsmanship that defines its legacy.