With the UR-103, the principle technical challenge was ensuring excellent isochronal performance of the satellites while minimizing friction and loss of energy. No simple task as, together with the supporting orbital cross, the satellite complication weighs in at 160 times heavier than traditional hands.
High-tech materials were chosen to minimize mass and thus maximize chronometric efficiency. The four hour-satellites of the UR-103 are crafted in aluminium and are suspended under a grade-2 titanium orbital cross. The complication is mounted on a non-magnetic ARCAP P40 base plate providing superior strength and stability to traditional metals.
The hour-satellites complete a full revolution under the orbital cross every four hours.Over a one-year time span each orbital cross completes 2190 rotations and each satellite 730 revolutions on its own axis.