First Look at the Fears Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour Celestial
A Lyrical & Lunar Take on the Jump Hour
The new Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour “Celestial” marks an important milestone for Fears Watch Company, serving as the first core launch of the brand’s 180th anniversary year. Limited to just 75 pieces worldwide, the Celestial builds on Fears’ modern Jump Hour platform while introducing one of the most expressive dials the Bristol-based brand has produced to date.
At its core, the Brunswick Jump Hour represents Fears’ contemporary interpretation of a classic digital-hour complication: hours displayed through an aperture at 12 o’clock, paired with a centrally mounted minute hand. It’s a format rooted in early 20th-century watchmaking, but here rendered with modern British restraint — elegant casework, thoughtful proportions, and an emphasis on material and texture rather than mechanical theatrics.
A Dial Inspired by the Night Sky
The defining feature of the Celestial is its dual-material dial construction. Fears combines deep astral-blue aventurine glass with a central disc of mother of pearl, designed to evoke a full moon set against a clear night sky.
The aventurine provides subtle sparkle under changing light, while the mother of pearl introduces organic variation — no two “moons” are exactly alike. Radial minute markings emanate outward from the center, reinforcing the lunar theme, while the jump-hour aperture sits cleanly at 12 o’clock. Rhodium-plated hands and applied details keep everything legible without detracting from the dial’s visual impact.
It’s a design that feels expressive without tipping into excess — very much in keeping with Fears’ broader aesthetic language.
Case, Movement, and Wearability
The Brunswick 40.5 case is rendered in polished 316L stainless steel, using Fears’ signature cushion profile to give the watch presence on the wrist without feeling oversized.
Wrist size: 6.75 inches / 17cm.
On the wrist, the cushion case softens the nominal 40.5mm size, while the modest lug-to-lug (47mm) keeps the watch balanced and comfortable. The option of either leather strap or steel bracelet gives the Celestial a surprisingly wide range — equally at home as a refined daily wearer or something a bit more elevated.
Key specifications:
- Case: 316L stainless steel
- Movement: Sellita SW200 automatic with JJ01 jump-hour module
- Water resistance: 10 ATM / 100 meters
- Dial: Astral blue aventurine glass with mother of pearl center
- Hands: Rhodium plated
- Strap: Fears blue Barenia leather
- Bracelet: Bespoke five-link stainless steel option available
- Limited edition: 75 pieces
Inside is an automatic Sellita SW200 base movement paired with the JJ01 jump-hour module developed by Christopher Ward — a practical, proven architecture that prioritizes reliability and serviceability while delivering the instantaneous digital hour display.
The Jump Hour in Context
Fears introduced its modern Jump Hour as a way to reinterpret a historical complication through a contemporary British lens — less about novelty, more about everyday elegance. Rather than chasing extremes in finishing or pricing, the Brunswick Jump Hour is positioned as a wearable complication: distinctive, intuitive, and designed for regular use.
The Celestial builds directly on that foundation, adding emotional depth through its lunar-inspired dial while preserving the core qualities that define the model.
Final Thoughts
The Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour “Celestial” feels like a natural evolution of the platform. The night-sky dial brings a new layer of character without compromising the watch’s fundamental balance, and the restrained case design ensures it remains versatile across both strap and bracelet.
Fears watches are available at collectivehorology.com. Thanks as always for reading and supporting independent watchmaking.