Christopher Ward continues its run of quietly brilliant innovation with the launch of the C1 Jump Hour Mk V, a modernized revival of one of the brand’s most distinctive complications. First introduced in 2011 with the C9 Harrison, the jump hour has become a signature of Christopher Ward’s technical pedigree, and the fifth-generation model is easily the boldest yet.
At the heart of the new C1 Jump Hour Mk V is the JJ01 modular movement, created by watchmaker Johannes Jahnke and refined over multiple iterations. This time around, though, Christopher Ward pairs that mechanical ingenuity with a far more contemporary design language. The standout feature is the translucent sapphire dial ring, printed with minute markers and loaded with Super-LumiNova that glows softly from within. Light passes through the sapphire to charge the hidden hour wheel, allowing only the current hour numeral to shine through. The effect is cinematic — a crisp, luminous “jump” as the hour switches over.
Four polished pins secure the sapphire ring in place, lending the dial a sense of engineered precision, while textures shift across the rest of the face: a sunray center, a brushed ring, and a metallic outer track, available in Noon Blue or Dusk Gold. A first for the brand, the sapphire minute hand adds to the floating, futuristic aesthetic.
The 39mm case features a blend of brushed and polished finishes and sits beneath a box-domed crystal, with the caseback echoing the layered textures on the dial. Available now for $2,975 on leather or $3,165 on bracelet, the Christopher Ward C1 Jump Hour Mk V feels like a turning point — a confident fusion of heritage innovation and modern design.
For more from Christopher Ward, check out the Christopher Ward x Worn & Wound C12 Brooklynite.
