Introducing: The Christopher Ward C1 Jump Hour Mk V
The C1 Jump Hour Mk V marks the return of Christopher Ward’s mechanical jump-hour complication, now housed in a 39mm stainless steel case. It comes in two variants — Noon and Dawn — each available either on a steel bracelet or a leather strap. I got a chance to play with the blue Noon version on the steel bracelet. Here’s how we got along.
The watch reintroduces the brand’s proprietary JJ01 movement developed by former CW watchmaker Johannes Jahnke. The modular automatic caliber enables the instantaneous hour jump seen in earlier C1 models, with the numeral advancing sharply at the top of each hour. Christopher Ward shared the caliber with Fears recently and now puts it back to work in a C1.
Christopher Ward and the jump hour
The “jump hour” is a relatively rare mechanical display that requires precise energy storage and release. In the JJ01, this energy is distributed gradually throughout the hour, preventing wear and ensuring a crisp, controlled jump at exactly 60 minutes. It’s a subtle but complex solution originally conceived by Jahnke during Christopher Ward’s early years.
That same design now finds a new home in the C1 Jump Hour Mk V. The complication is integrated with a Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement. Mr. Jahnke, by the way, has since become the director of movement development at Sellita, so you can see the close ties here.
By revisiting the JJ01, Christopher Ward reasserts that in-house design and development can live comfortably within an independent, value-driven brand. The C1 Jump Hour Mk V feels like a logical continuation of that core idea.
The specs of the Christopher Ward C1 Jump Hour Mk V
This watch has a 39mm diameter, a 14mm thickness (including the box-style sapphire crystal), and a 47.3mm lug-to-lug. It’s made from 316L stainless steel with a mix of brushed surfaces and polished chamfers, and the case back is decorated with a 12-hour-inspired pattern. Christopher Ward gives the watch a 30m water resistance rating, underscoring that this is a refined daily wearer rather than a sports watch. Buyers can choose between a finely executed quick-release Consort bracelet, as pictured, or a supple Italian leather strap.
As mentioned, inside ticks the Sellita SW200-1-based JJ01 movement. It operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, holds an approximate 38-hour power reserve, and houses 26 jewels. The jump-hour module stores torque throughout the hour and releases it at the instant the minute hand reaches 60, advancing the hour disc cleanly. Accuracy is rated at about ±20 seconds per day, which, honestly, feels a bit subpar for a watch that references a classic horological innovation.
The dial construction is intricate but restrained. It features four layers — a stamped central disc with 27 concentric rings, a brushed and polished metallic frame, a sapphire minute track, and a stepped sapphire minute hand. The hour aperture sits backed by a ceramic Globolight insert for legibility.
Looking at the C1 Jump Hour’s design
The new Christopher Ward C1 Jump Hour Mk V feels like a distinctly modern approach to a classical layout. In typical Christopher Ward fashion, it has a bit of an over-engineered look. Still, I think CW is onto something with this aesthetic.
I have criticized the brand before for being overly derivative in its designs. This latest C1 Jump Hour, however, falls within a lineage of watches that look like nothing but true Christopher Ward models, such as the C12 Loco and the C1 Bel Canto. I can only applaud CW for finding more of a distinguishing design language and building on it. More of this, please!
As always, the quality feels higher than you might expect for the money. At €2,975 / £2,285 / US$3,165 on the bracelet or €2,800 / £2,150 / US$2,975 on a leather strap, the C1 Jump Hour Mk V is perhaps less of a steal than some other CWs. However, it still offers a lot for the money. Rather than the Consort bracelet, I would wear the new C1 Jump Hour on a nice leather strap to emphasize its more formal vibe. All in all, I think this is a very appealing new model from the English/Swiss brand.
What do you think of the new Christopher Ward C1 Jump Hour Mk V? Let us know in the comments section below!
