Hands-on with the Czpaek Time Jumper 10th Anniversary Jump Hour Watch (Live Photos & Video)
Unexpected Watchmaking & Wearability
In Geneva, amid the celebrations of Czapek’s 10th anniversary and 180 years since the brand's initial founding in 1845, the Time Jumper made its debut—a watch that bridges eras with a design that feels simultaneously futuristic and familiar. We had the chance to go hands-on, and find out how exactly this unusual watch wears.
Visually, the Time Jumper is unlike anything else in the brand’s catalog. The dial and case interact as a sculptural whole, crowned by a domed loupe that magnifies the jumping-hour aperture. The three-dimensional guilloché on the half-hunter cover, created by longtime partner Metalem, gives the impression of a black hole drawing light inward—a whimsical nod to science fiction that sets the tone for the rest of the design.
Furthermore, Czapek’s first automatic jumping-hour watch introduces the new in-house Calibre 10.1 while reviving a format once common in 19th-century pocket watches. The combination is pure Czapek: a dialogue between heritage and modernity.
The Dimensions in Context
At 40.5mm across, 12.35mm thick (including the domed crystal), and just 42.4mm lug-to-lug, the Time Jumper’s proportions are remarkably wearable. While many jumping-hour or cover-style watches tend to feel bulky or top-heavy, Czapek’s design avoids that trap. The short lug-to-lug span and gentle curvature of the case ensure it hugs the wrist naturally. On a 6.75-inch wrist (shown below), it sits securely, without overhang or imbalance, even when the cover is closed.
The stainless steel model with a white gold guilloché inlay offers a more restrained look, while the 3N 18-carat gold version adds warmth and depth to the pattern’s reflective surfaces. Both versions share the same organic, compact footprint that makes this watch unexpectedly versatile for daily wear.
Deceptively Slim
The technical height of 12.35mm is deceptive because it includes the domed magnifying crystal over the jumping hour display. In practice, the midcase—the section that rests on the wrist—is notably thinner and tapers gently toward the caseback. This sleek architecture, combined with curved lugs, creates a continuous flow from case to strap. The result is a piece that appears much slimmer in profile and wears flatter than its dimensions would imply.
The Shape of Comfort
Czapek refers to the Time Jumper’s silhouette as “flying-saucer-shaped,” and the description fits. Every curve feels deliberate: the smoothness of the pebble-like case, the rounded crown subtly recessed into the body, and the seamless transition into the rubber strap. This is not a traditional round case with added flourishes—it’s an entirely new geometry designed for ergonomics and visual balance.
The tactile impression is equally refined. The pusher at 6 o’clock, which opens the half-hunter cover, is oval and softly contoured. The strap, in blue rubber, reinforces the contemporary tone while ensuring flexibility and comfort. Together, they make a statement piece feel approachable.
Calibre 10.1 and the Next Chapter
Inside beats Czapek’s Calibre 10.1—an in-house automatic movement that marks a new generation for the brand. It features a 24-hour jumping-hour display, trailing peripheral minutes, and a recycled 950 platinum central rotor. The architecture is both aesthetic and purposeful: a compact 30mm diameter and 6.13mm height make it suitable for a range of future complications. The design is distinguished by its skeletonised rotor, five-spoke wheels, and a striking contrast between rhodium-plated bridges and dark plates, all hand-finished in traditional haute horlogerie fashion.
The movement’s 60-hour power reserve, 4 Hz frequency, and variable-inertia balance ensure practical performance, while about 75% of the parts are produced in-house—a testament to Czapek’s growing technical independence without abandoning its collaborative établissage philosophy.
Beyond Celebration
For all its artistry, the Time Jumper’s greatest triumph may be how naturally it fits into daily life. It’s forward-thinking but grounded, complex yet comfortable. The guilloché cover invites interaction; the jumping-hour display offers a clean, modern take on time-telling; and the case’s ergonomics make it as wearable as any of Czapek’s sportier Antarctique models.
In creating a watch that honors both 180 years of history and a decade of modern rebirth, Czapek has chosen not to look backward, but to imagine what the next ten years might bring. The Time Jumper feels less like a commemorative piece and more like a declaration of intent: a statement that independent watchmaking’s future lies not just in complications or craftsmanship, but in how these ideas come together on the wrist.
The Czapek Time Jumper is available at collectivehorology.com. As always, thanks for reading and supporting independent watchmaking.