Although it never really went away, there seems to be a renaissance of the Jumping Hour or Heures Sautante complication, and we're very pleased about that. There is an interesting convergence in watches with jump hours: the display is often simpler than in watches with central hands, but the mechanism behind it is quite a challenge! Energy must be built up over time, then released at the exact moment a disc or a hand can perform a jump at the exact moment needed, preferably without any form of kickback, flutter or other problems. Stylistically, jump watches can be divided into two main groups: very modern interpretations or very classic, heritage-inspired watches. Let's take a look at some of the best products available on the market today! And while the list is certainly not exhaustive and we know there are still some cheaper options out there, we've focused on high-end pieces for now.
Audemars Piguet Neo Frame Jumping Hour
The trigger for this topic, in addition to the reason why Jumping Hour watches are fascinating in themselves, was the unexpected Audemars Piguet Neo Frame Jumping Hour. AP has its roots in the late 1920s and is stepping out of its usual comfort zone. The rectangular rose gold case has vertical gadroons along the sides that extend into the lugs. The top glass is tinted and the dial is directly connected to it. It shows the jumping hours at midday and the trailing minutes in gold-framed windows below. The caliber 7122 is visible through the caseback and has a power reserve of 52 hours. It is worn on a black, structured calfskin strap with a gold clasp 64,900 euros.
For more information, visit AudemarsPiguet.com.
Quick facts – 34 mm x 47.1 mm x 8.8 mm – 18-carat red gold case with gadroons – Sapphire crystal on top with black PVD coating – Sapphire crystal case back – 20 m water-resistant – Dial bonded to sapphire crystal – Gold-framed openings – Black jumping hour and minute discs with white numerals – Caliber 7122, manufacture automatic – 293 components – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 52 hour power reserve – black textured calf leather strap with 19k rose gold clasp – 15245OR – 64,900 euros
Time Jumper hat
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the revived Czapek name, the popular indie brand released the rather stunning Time Jumper. This modern interpretation of a Montre à Guichets features a hinged guilloche top cover, revealing the jumping hours in the center and the slow minutes in an arched window below. If you open it, you can see almost the entire structure of the complication, with the two sapphire discs, the gears, levers, springs, etc. On the back you have even more insight into the mechanics of the movement. The Time Jumper is limited to 100 pieces in steel 42,000 francsor 30 pieces in yellow gold 64,000 francs.
For more information, visit Czapek.com.
Quick facts – 40.5 mm x 12.35 mm – steel or yellow gold case – three-dimensional guilloché hinged lid – box sapphire crystal – 30 m water resistant – transparent dial with hour discs – laser-colored minute disc – caliber 10.01, manufacture – automatic winding – 275 parts – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 60 hour power reserve – patent pending jumping 24-hour hour display on two digits – blue rubber strap with pin buckle – 100 pieces in steel, 30 in gold – 42,000 francs (steel) or 64,000 francs (Gold)
Chronoswiss Neo Digiteur
Late last year, Chronoswiss dusted off its iconic Digiteur, a watch that was originally released in 2005. Renamed Neo Digiteur, the case has been completely redesigned and features recessed, sandblasted flanks while still retaining the original. It features a granite (anthracite) or sand (we'd say salmon) dial, with jumping hours at the top, running minutes in the middle and seconds at the bottom. The hand-wound movement is partially visible through an opening on the back and the watch is worn on a black nubuck leather strap with a steel pin buckle. There is an edition of 99 pieces per dial color and a price of 13,800 euros.
For more information, visit Chronoswiss.com.
Quick facts – 48 mm x 30 mm x 9.7 mm – Stainless steel case, satin-finished and polished – Sapphire crystal with transparent case back – Onion crown – 50 m water resistant – Granite or sand dial – Separate hour, minute and second windows – Caliber C.85757, hand-wound – 21,600 vibrations per hour – 48-hour power reserve – Proprietary jumping hour module – Black nubuck leather strap with steel pin buckle – limited to 99 pieces each – 13,800 euros
Booth Prime
The revival of old names continues in full swing in 2026, with Niton returning to the stage. This once-famous jumping hour specialist was founded in 1919 and supplied movements to Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Cartier and others. It was revived by industry veterans Yvan Ketterer and Leopoldi Celi. The look of the Prima is based on vintage Niton watches, with a central disc for the minutes, a jumping hour display at the top and a (very) small seconds subdial. The case is available in rose gold or platinum; Only 19 examples of each material will be made and the movement looks stunning. The price is at CHF 44,750 in gold, or CHF 47,750 in platinum.
Further information can be found at Niton.swiss.
Quick facts – 27 mm x 35.5 mm x 7.9 mm – Platinum or rose gold case – Sapphire crystal front and back – 30 m water resistance – Opal or rose gold coated dial – Blued hour markers and hands – Jumping hours, running minutes and seconds – NHS01 caliber made with LTM – Manual winding – 28,800 vibrations per hour – 72 hour power reserve – Geneva Seal and ISO 3159 Chronometer certified – grained calfskin strap with pin buckle – limited to 19 pieces each – CHF 44,750 (rose gold) or CHF 47,750 (Platinum)
Cartier Tank at Guichets
When we think of Guichet watches, we almost immediately think of Cartier, and for good reason. Last year's Tank à Guichets revived one of the Maison's most iconic and unconventional watches and has now become part of the Cartier Privé collection. First introduced in 1928, this modern reinterpretation remains true to form, with two windows for the hours and minutes. Only available in precious metals, two layouts are possible: vertically aligned in yellow gold, rose gold or platinum and a kind of winking/smiling limited edition in platinum. Prices range from 52,000 euros To 66,000 eurosdepending on the reference.
For more information, visit Cartier.com.
Quick facts – 24.8 mm x 37.6 mm x 6 mm – 18K yellow or rose gold or 950 platinum case, brushed and polished – Beveled hour and minute windows – Crown at noon – not waterproof – Jumping hour and trailing minute windows at noon and six – Caliber 9755 MC, hand-wound – in-house – 21,600 vibrations per hour – 43 hours Power reserve – Alligator leather strap with gold or platinum pin buckle – 52,000 euros (yellow or rose gold) – 60,000 euros (Platinum, not limited)
H. Moser & Cie Pioneer flying lessons
On the more modern side of the spectrum are the Pioneer Flying Hours from H. Moser & Cie. Part of Moser's more robust, sportier watch line, it transforms a walking hour display into a jumping hour and moving minute display. The white fumé dial provides peace of mind, while the central disc runs along three openings for the hours. With three mostly hidden panes, the hour number jumps instantly from window to window. Driven by an in-house movement, right down to the hairspring, it shows once again what Moser is capable of. Worn on a gray rubber strap, it is part of the permanent collection and sells for €100.00 29,000 francs before tax.
For more information, visit H-Moser.com.
Quick facts – 42.8 mm x 14.2 mm – stainless steel, brushed and polished – front and back made of sapphire crystal – screw-down crown – 120 m water resistant – white fumé dial – jumping hour discs with central minute disc – caliber HMC 240, manufacture – automatic with bi-directional winding – planetary flight hour display – 21,600 vibrations per hour – 72 hours Power reserve – Straumann flat hairspring (in-house) – gray rubber strap with pin buckle – permanent collection – 29,000 francs before tax
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