A Fresh Take On The Jump Hour: Introducing The Christopher Ward C1 Mk V
Christopher Ward brings back one of its signature complications with the launch of the C1 Jump Hour Mk V, a modern interpretation powered by the brand’s in-house JJ01 jump hour module. The movement, created by Johannes Jahnke, has been at the core of several notable projects since 2011 and remains one of the company’s most distinctive technical achievements.
A Contemporary Case and Light-Focused Design
The C1 Jump Hour Mk V steps into the brand’s current design language with a 39 mm stainless steel case. Its 14 mm height is visually softened by a large domed sapphire crystal that opens the dial to light from multiple angles. Instead of creating a compact or enclosed display, Christopher Ward has aimed for an airy, open aesthetic.
This idea is pushed further with the use of sapphire for both the minute ring and minute hand. These transparent elements appear to float above the central dial, and they allow light to reach the luminescent hour ring beneath. The result is a full luminous halo in low-light conditions, giving the watch a striking nighttime identity.
Dial Architecture and Jump Hour Display
The Jump Hour Mk V follows a straightforward layout built around the mechanics of the complication. A stamped central disc with a snailing pattern anchors the design, topped by a window displaying the hour through a rotating disc. Each hour advances instantly in the characteristic “jump” that defines this type of display.
Two color options are available for the central disc: Noon Blue and Dusk Gold. Both give the watch a contemporary feel and provide a strong contrast with the transparent upper elements.
The JJ01 Module, Updated for the Mk V
Inside the new model is the latest version of the JJ01 jump hour module, paired with a Sellita SW200-1 base movement. The combination provides a 38-hour power reserve and an accuracy rating of approximately +/- 20 seconds per day. Although this is the fifth Christopher Ward watch to use a jump hour, the brand notes that the Mk V is not a continuation of prior designs, which leaned much more classical. Instead, it represents a new, modern direction for the complication within the brand’s recently renamed Atelier collection.
Price and Positioning
The Christopher Ward C1 Jump Hour Mk V watch is priced at € 2,800 with a leather strap and € 2,975 with a stainless steel bracelet. The cost reflects the inclusion of the in-house JJ01 module and positions the watch within the brand’s higher-end lineup, alongside models such as the Bel Canto and Moonphase. With this release, Christopher Ward adds another option to the growing field of British-made jump hour watches.
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General Specifications:
Brand: Christopher Ward
Model: C1 Jump Hour Mk V
Dial: Noon blue, dusk gold
Case Material: Stainless steel
Case Dimensions: 39 mm diameter, 14 mm thickness
Crystal: Sapphire glass
Case Back: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 30 Meters
Strap: Blue/brown fine Italian leather strap, 5-Link stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp
Caliber: JJ01 (Sellita SW200-1 base
Functions: Jumping hours, minutes
Winding: Automatic
Jewels: 29
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)
Power Reserve: 38 Hours
Price: € 2,800 (on a leather strap), € 2,975 (on a steel bracelet)
Availability: Now
Limited Edition: No
