Day 6 of our Christmas Countdown, and we are jumping into the holidays with every passing hour of these Jump Hour watches!
Jump hour watches have certainly made a resurgence this year, with quite a few brands bringing out this old school complication of time telling. From smaller, independent micro brands, all the way to the big brands like Cartier and the Tank À Guichéts, which stole the show at Watches & Wonders 2025. The team have compiled a list of 10 great jump hour watches that’ll get you jumping into Christmas!
Mario Likes The Look Of These Jump Hours
Beda’a Eclipse
Starting off this list is a Qatari brand that many of you might not know much about. However, with the traction they’ve received over the past couple of years, it felt right to give them a spotlight.
Beda’a is one of two independent watch brands from the mind of Sohaib Maghnam, a Palestinian watch designer who has developed a penchant for neo-futuristic timepieces. While his other brand, Maghnam, is better known in the world of haute horlogerie, Beda’a brings that contemporary aesthetic to a more accessible price point.
What you’re looking at is one of their most recent ventures in the space with the Eclipse II. An evolution of the original Eclipse line, it’s an unusual watch, complete with a regulator dial, a six o’clock crown, and a calibre developed in collaboration with Dubois Dépraz. While some might write it off as the ruminations of a rich kid turned watchmaker, teaming up with a manufacturer as prestigious as Dubois Dépraz is one hell of a way to show you aren’t messing about.
International RRP: QAR 16,500
Availability: Currently sold out. See BedaaWatches.com for more information.
Chronoswiss Neo Digiteur
Back in somewhat familiar territory is the Chronoswiss Neo Digiteur, which was released late in the year to the celebration of many watch fans. Chronoswiss has always been one of those cult classic watch brands, typically known for its regulator and retrograde watches, but one model has always been more sought-after than most.
The Digiteur line, introduced in the 2000s, was Chronoswiss’ fully digital mechanical timepiece. From the jump hour to the minutes and even the seconds disc, it proved wildly popular with watch lovers who have eclectic tastes. Even those with more elegant leanings seemed to be drawn to the Chronoswiss Digiteur, perhaps because they were already on the hunt for a Cartier Tank à Guichets, but more on that later.
When the Digiteur disappeared, much of that same community began to mourn its loss. As of this year, however, Chronoswiss finally relented, reinventing the collection and proudly calling it the Neo Digiteur. It retains everything enthusiasts loved about the original, although access is limited to 99 examples per dial colour. Still, it’s a glimmer of hope for those who long for its official comeback.
International RRP: CHF 12,500
Availability: Limited to 99 pieces per colour, sold out. See Chronoswiss.com for more information.
Celadon HH Cloisonné 24H Jumping Hours “Double Phoenix”
Moving east, we have a brand that strives to change the perspective of the wider watch community. For many, “Made in China” is still treated as a derogatory term, most often associated with duplicates, copycats, and poorly made products.
However, when you look at the Cloisonné 24H Jumping Hours “Double Phoenix” by Celadon HH, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything lacking in the quality of its execution. Founded as Maison Celadon in 2012 before branching into Celadon HH in 2021, the brand has consistently campaigned to champion Chinese watchmaking.
And champion it, they have. The dial of this remarkable jump hour watch is made from cloisonné enamel, an extraordinarily difficult technique that Sam has addressed before. It depicts two blue phoenixes, outlined in gold, set against a white backdrop, with two cut-outs for the minutes and hours. The 24-hour jumping hour is powered by the in-house CH5, developed by master watchmaker Lin Yong Hua exclusively for Celadon HH.
International RRP: US$34,900
Availability: On commission only. See CeladonHH.com for more information.
Berneron Quantième Annuel
Don’t be surprised if this watch makes it onto my favourite watches of the entire year. Ever since bursting onto the scene with the fabulous Mirage, Berneron has gained significant traction, positioning itself in the upper echelon of the independent watch scene.
This year, Sylvain, Marie-Alix, and the Berneron team have kept that momentum going. However, they’ve taken things in a different direction to the Mirage. Where that watch felt like an abstract, almost formless work of art, the new Quantième Annuel presents itself as an elegant, orderly timepiece that prioritises symmetry above all else.
Matched with a completely symmetrical movement, the Quantième Annuel isn’t just a jump hour, but also an annual calendar. While most watches of this complexity risk becoming visually overwhelming, the jump-hour complication and large day and date displays make it surprisingly legible. Don’t count on getting your hands on one, though. If the Mirage is sold out until 2028, you’ll be waiting a while yet for a Berneron of your own.
International RRP: CHF 120,000 (2026) / CHF 130,000 (2027) / 140,000 (2028)
Availability: Limited to 24 pieces, per colour, per year. See Berneron.ch for more information.
Matt’s Jump Hour Picks
Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence
Louis Vuitton has been making a comeback over the past year or two with the relaunch of their Tambour collection. Under Frederic Arnault and his brother Jean, the once lower-end watch has now gone high-end with new designs and a completely new high-end movement thanks to LV’s manufacture, Fabrique de Temps. So it was only a matter of time before LV took the Tambour and gave it a jump hour function.
This watch is very much old school cool, in a 37 mm rose gold case that has a very vintage-inspired style, paying homage to the Montres a Guichet. It also has a new in-house calibre that has been crafted by la Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, and for those who want a little bit of bling on their wrist, there is also a platinum model that is set with 795 diamonds on the case.
With a 45-hour power reserve and an 18-carat pink gold rotor to wind it up to full power, this watch is for those who want a watch that looks like it has been plucked straight out of the history books and placed on your wrist. As I said, it is very much old-school cool but reimagined for today’s modern watch collector.
Australian RRP: A$61,000
Availability: For product availability, see your local Louis Vuitton store, or head to au.LouisVuitton.com for more information.
Cartier Tank à Guichets
There is a reason why Cartier is the second-largest watch brand in the world, (by revenue volume), and it is because they just do watches so well. There are very few other brands in the market that can match Cartier’s sense of timelessness and style, not to mention the wide variety of shaped cases the Maison produces. Each year at Watches & Wonders, people are waiting with anticipation for the new releases, especially the Privé collection – those pieces that are brought back specifically and in limited amounts, which throwback to a vintage icon from Cartier‘s history.
This year was no different, with Cartier launching the Privé Tank à Guichets. The Tank à Guichets is for those collectors who want a vintage-style jump hour watch on the wrist in that classic Cartier Tank shape, which dates back to the early 1900s. I’ve seen a vintage model from 1931, and today’s model looks almost the same – again, Cartier imbues timelessness!
These watches are not just designed for anyone, as Cartier is making them in limited production numbers over the next few years. For those lucky enough to have a decent spend history with Cartier then maybe put your hand up as these will become a highly sought after collectors item, and just doing a bit of a scour of the web last night, it seems like there are a few on the market priced well, well over the retail – which gives you an indication of how sought after these pieces currently are and will be!
Australian RRP: Price Upon Request
Availability: For product availability, see your local Cartier boutique or retailer, or head to Cartier.com
Czapek Time Jumper
The Czapek Time Jumper is the kind of watch that instantly stands out, making it a perfect Christmas gift for someone who already “has everything.” Created to celebrate 10 years since Czapek’s modern revival, the Time Jumper is a watch that reimagines François Czapek’s 19th-century pocket watches, but with a playful, avant-garde flair. It is very much a unique-looking watch!
The Time Jumper is powered by Czapek’s in-house Calibre 10.01 automatic movement. This movement has been designed as the foundation for future Czapek watches, offering solid performance with a 60-hour power reserve. Much of the mechanism is visible through the dial, which incidentally opens up, revealing the full movement, and via the caseback, reminding you that this is a serious piece of watchmaking, not just a design exercise.
Produced as a limited edition, the Time Jumper is available in stainless steel (100 units) or yellow gold (30 units), with very small production numbers, which only adds to its appeal. It’s the sort of watch that sparks conversation the moment it’s noticed, and I can guarantee you, if you have one on the wrist, you’ll be asked questions – most probably, “What is that?” being the first. It may not be for everyone, but neither is any Czapek!
International RRP: CHF 42,000 for steel, CHF 64,000 for gold
Availability: For product availability, head to Czapek.com
Sam’s Picks To Jump Into The Holidays
A. Lange & Söhne – Zeitwerk Pink Gold (Ref: 142.031)
It wouldn’t be a jump hour watch buying guide without including a model from A. Lange & Söhne’s Zeitwerk collection. Jump hour timepieces are among the more complex time displays in modern watchmaking, especially when they are driven entirely by a mechanical movement. The Zeitwerk is famous for its digital jumping hour and minute display, but it doesn’t stop there.
The watch also features a small seconds sub-dial along with a power reserve indicator for this manual-winding movement. Unlike some jump hour models that use a semi-jumping display, the Zeitwerk’s minute disc jumps precisely every 60 seconds, requiring immense energy management and mechanical precision for this to happen.
While there are several models in A. Lange & Söhne’s Zeitwerk collection, I chose this pink gold version with the black dial, which A. Lange & Söhne states is crafted from solid silver. The way the pink gold case and black dial complement each other makes this one of the best-looking models in the collection.
Speaking of aesthetics, when you turn the watch over, the open caseback reveals A. Lange & Söhne’s exceptional craftsmanship. From the various finishing techniques used to enhance the visual appeal, to the jewels, blued screws, and gears, it truly makes you appreciate fine mechanical watchmaking. Since its debut in 2009, the Zeitwerk has become one of A. Lange & Söhne’s most recognisable and daring creations prove that innovation and tradition can coexist seamlessly.
Australian Recommended Retail Price: POA – originally $167,400 AUD as of December 2024
Availability: Available now from A. Lange & Söhne Sydney. Enquire online at Alange-soehne.com
Cristopher Ward C1 Jump Hour Mark V
Christopher Ward’s Atelier Collection receives a new addition with the C1 Jump Hour Mk V. This jump hour timepiece features a striking visual display built around a reimagined, complex four-tier dial construction, with circular engraving applied to both the centre of the dial and the minute track.
The jump hour mechanism is showcased prominently at 12 o’clock, with the surrounding display acting as the minute indicator. The design inspiration behind the dial takes cues from mid-century British industrial and automotive design, blending retro-futurism with contemporary minimalism.
With a clean dial that features only one prominent hand to indicate the minute display, it allows the viewer to focus more on the aesthetic design of the dial, which features a four-tier construction as mentioned before. This four-tier construction creates visual depth, giving the dial a strong three-dimensional effect.
The automatic calibre JJ01 has been specifically designed so that the hour numeral flips precisely as the minute hand passes over the hour mark. Jump-hour watches are relatively rare in modern collections, making the C1 Jump Hour MK V an intriguing choice for collectors who want something different without shouting about it.
Australian RRP: A$4,610
Availability: Available from www.christopherward.com
Otsuka Lotec No. 7.5
An independent Japanese watchmaking brand that’s making waves is Otsuka Lotec, founded by Jiro Katayama, who is known for blending industrial design with horology. A quick look at the brand’s current collections tells you everything you need to know. These watches are not traditional, and the brand certainly isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of watchmaking.
The designs resemble precision industrial instruments or pressure gauges, with a strong emphasis on function-first design. The No. 7.5 timepiece in particular features a jump-hour complication, further reinforcing the brand’s unconventional and purpose-driven approach to watchmaking.
The jump-hour mechanism itself is displayed through a fisheye lens, enhancing the visual impact, while the minutes sub-dial is shown through a window that resembles a gauge instrument. To non-watch enthusiasts, this looks more like a functional instrument on the wrist rather than a luxury watch, which is exactly the brand’s intent and appeal.
The No. 7.5 isn’t about prestige or logos; it’s about design integrity, mechanical honesty, and a quiet confidence in its ability to do its job. Turn the watch over, however, and the watch goes back to traditional roots with it’s caseback design, featuring Geneva stripes and a skeletonised winding rotor.