Art Deco Era Jump Hour Wristwatch, In 18K White Gold

A striking and highly modern design for its era, this 18K white gold jump-hour wristwatch embodies the bold innovation and streamlined aesthetics emerging in the late Art Deco period. Rather than relying on traditional hands and numerals, this direct-read model displays the time through apertures cut into the case, creating a sleek, minimalist appearance that would have been highly modernist for its time and still feels remarkably contemporary nearly a century later.

The polished rectangular case features two shaped apertures, with the jumping hour displayed above and the sweeping minutes below. This “digital” style display was considered highly avant-garde during the 1920s and 1930s, representing a fascinating departure from conventional watchmaking design. The clean, uninterrupted surface of the case gives the piece an architectural quality, while the stepped edges subtly reinforce its Deco influence.

Inside is a 17-jewel manual-wind movement, possibly attributed to C.H. Meylan, a maker well regarded for complicated and unconventional wristwatch movements of the period. The watch retains its original bracelet, whose flexible linear construction complements the geometric styling of the case beautifully and allows the watch to wear almost like a piece of modernist jewelry.

Altogether, this is an exceptionally stylish and unusual early wristwatch, blending mechanical ingenuity with daring design in a way few watches of the era achieved.

This watch features a 7.75″ bracelet and measures 39mm lug to lug and 28mm wide.

Restored, 18 Month Warranty

Circa 1920-30