Convopiece Jump Hour crafted by Andersen Genève

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The conversation

“I have always liked the ‘Jumping Hour’ complication, could you propose a design?”

———— Over time, our taste in watches becomes more honed. As our collections gain the ‘grail pieces’ we always desired, it’s only the true originals that still pique our interest. And that’s how the brief for this fully bespoke watch came about.

It began with a client who felt his (already extensive) watch collection was missing three complications – a regulator, an alarm and a jumping hour. We produced bespoke watch designs around each, and presented them to both the client and our chosen craftsman – the legendary Danish ‘watchmaker of the impossible’, Svend Andersen. We all agreed that the jump hour was the way to go.

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Brand:
Andersen Genève

Model:
Bespoke unique Convopiece collaboration

Dial:
Brushed white gold dial with disc at 6 o'clock 
hand guilloché ‘grain d'orge 24 divisions motives’

Hand:
Thermally blued steel

Movement:
Piguet 11.50 automatic movement with
bespoke jumping hours module developed and
assembled in the atelier
60h power reserve
29 jewels
21,600 vph - 3Hz

Functions:
Jumping hours at 12 o'clock
Minutes at 6 o'clock

Case:
ø 38mm 3N Rose gold
Open case back
Water resistance: 30 metres/3 bar

Crystal:
Sapphire front and back

Strap:
Baby alligator black leather with rose gold buckle

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Inspiration

The design

———— We were inspired by late-eighteenth century jump hour pocket watches. Their dials blend simplicity, balance and contrasting textures, resulting in a timeless yet surprisingly contemporary character. Also the Jour et Nuit dial from the 1998 Cartier Pasha Limited Edition Svend worked on.

From the soft dome of the sapphire glass to the slight taper of the lugs, every detail was carefully evaluated. The hour aperture was hand engraved by Geneva-based Dutch watchmaker Kees Englebarts in order to have both brushed and polished surfaces.

Some elements metamorphosed as the watch developed – the dial was originally to have an intricate guilloche pattern, but when we boosted the case diameter slightly from 36mm to 38mm, we decided to opt for a hand-brushed finish to give a cleaner feel and accentuate the dial elements and finishing. 

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The journey

Capturing the story

———— When time and patience coalesce to create a completely original watch, it should be documented and celebrated. Over its nine-month creation, we kept a diary of images and notes which Convopiece founder Adrian Aldred used to write and design a special book to tell the watch’s story and accompany it upon delivery. As befitting such an original watch, the book included custom typefaces, unique recycled paper from Antalis and near-field communication technology impregnated behind an illustration linking to this page on the website. As with the watch itself, the goal was ultimately to surpass expectations.