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Breguet Jump Hour 'Heures Sautantes', late 1990s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Breguet (maker)
Date
late 1990s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 37 mm
Stock no.
40992262
Credit line
Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (40992262)
Catalogue title (original)
Breguet Jump Hour 'Heures Sautantes' (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 40992262), this is a wristwatch by Breguet, made in Switzerland, dated late 1990s. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 37 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Analog/Shift

Breguet makes the best dials in the biz. Yeah, we said it. Their signature engine-turned dials, individually numbered and hand-finished, are simply beautiful works of art. The Breguet Jump Hour 'Heures Sautantes' isn’t merely the proud recipient of an excellent Breguet dial, however — it’s minimal display finds perfection in simplicity. Dating to the late 1990s and limited to just 800 pieces, this Breguet Jump Hour 'Heures Sautantes' features a 37mm 18K yellow gold case with straight lugs, cabochon-style sapphire crown and the distinguishable coin-edge finishing along its case flanks. While we're used to seeing guilloché finishing or an open-work style, this piece can be considered a bit restrained for the storied manufacture . Adorned with Breguet numerals over a white enamel dial, this piece features a singular Breguet hand paired with a 'jump hour' aperture at 12 o'clock. Powered by an automatic Breguet Calibre, this piece is outfitted with an aftermarket, taupe alligator leather strap with its original 18K yellow gold, Breguet pin buckle. Jump on this one before someone else gets the same idea!

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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