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Jumping Hour

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Jumping Hour: (JUHM-ping OW-er)

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A Jumping Hour is a complication displaying the hour through a window that jumps instantaneously to the next numeral at the top of each hour.

What does

Jumping Hour

mean?

A Jumping Hour is a watch complication where the hour is displayed through a digital aperture, typically located on the dial, and changes instantaneously at the top of each hour. Unlike traditional analog watches where the hour hand gradually moves around the dial, a Jumping Hour watch features a disc with printed numbers that jumps to the next hour precisely when the minute hand reaches the 60-minute mark. This mechanism provides a unique and precise way of reading the time, offering a clear and immediate indication of the current hour.

The Jumping Hour complication is often paired with a traditional minute hand, allowing for a blend of digital and analog time-telling. This design is appreciated for its mechanical complexity and the visual interest it adds to a watch. The mechanism requires precise engineering to ensure the hour disc jumps accurately and reliably, making it a testament to the watchmaker's skill.

Jumping Hour watches are valued for their distinctive aesthetic and the technical challenge they present. They are often found in high-end and luxury timepieces, appealing to collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate the innovation and craftsmanship involved in their creation.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a jumping hour watch?

A jumping hour watch displays the hour through a digital aperture window, where a rotating disc with printed numbers jumps instantaneously to the next hour when the minute hand reaches 60. Unlike analog hour hands moving gradually, the jump is sudden and precise, creating a distinctive digital-in-mechanical aesthetic.

How does the jumping hour mechanism work?

A disc carrying hour numerals is held by a spring-loaded lever until the minute mechanism completes one full rotation. At precisely the 60-minute mark, accumulated spring tension releases instantly, snapping the disc to the next numeral. The engineering challenge is ensuring consistent instantaneous release without affecting the running seconds.

Which brands are known for jumping hour complications?

Jumping hours appear in both traditional and avant-garde watchmaking. Cartier's Tank Américaine and various Cartier complications, Jaquet Droz, MB&F, and many independent watchmakers use jumping hours. The complication is particularly associated with futuristic, non-traditional dial layouts that challenge conventional time display.

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