JUMP HOUR WATCH - "The early mechanical digital watches are the ancestors of the modern digital watch."
As a modern digital watch, a vintage mechanical digital watch also displays the time using digits or numerically with the difference that a mechanical digital watch is powered by a mechanical movement and not electronically powered.
The invention of the jump hour dated around 1830's by the French watchmaker Blondeau for the French King. But it was until 1883 (before the wristwatch) when Austrian engineer Josef Pallweber filed the first patent for a jump hour movement on a pocket watch. Through licensing, watch companies like IWC and Cortebert were in charge of selling hundreds of Pallweber jump hour pocket watches, they were for sure impressive figures in the nineteenth century.
Watches with a jump hour complication (jump hour mechanism) have an hour hand that does not sweep between the hours. Instead, they have a disc with the hour digits marked on it is viewed through an aperture, a spring driven finger causes the disk to jump to the next hour when the previous hour ends.
It was until the 1920's that the jump hour watch design gained far more traction, this time into the wristwatch, the first digital wristwatch. Just after WWI, with the Art Deco era that watchmakers used inspiration from the straight lines, heavy geometry, and luxury materials to innovate watch designs and the jump hour wristwatch would come up to bring iconic pieces that are still highly desired to this day.
Established names such as Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex and Cartier embraced the concept, carrying the design from pocket watches into wristwatches. Most of them opted for the closed metal front with small apertures for the hour and minutes. Others use a hand for the minutes and the hour in a window. They were only ever made in very limited quantities at the time. Other Swiss brands embraced jump hour wristwatches as well, producing this time a much greater number of pieces.
LOUVIC Watch Company
Louvic was a Swiss watch brand known for its craftsmanship during the mid-20th century. While specific details about its founding and history are sparse, Louvic gained recognition for producing distinctive designs, including the "Mystery Dial" watches in the 1950s.
These timepieces featured elegant, minimalist aesthetics and reliable Swiss manual-wind movements, reflecting the era's horological innovations. Louvic's models have become collectible items, appreciated for their classic design and build quality, which capture the essence of vintage Swiss watchmaking.
LOUVIC
Jump Hour Wristwatch
- Direct Read -
Hour, Minute and Second Indicators
This piece represents a transitional era in technology, from the pre-LED/LCD quartz period. These timepieces feature wheels under the dial instead of traditional hands, creating a dramatic and innovative design.
Even today, they retain a sleek and modern look, reminiscent of a time when reading dials and gauges with hands was still in vogue.
From the 1970s, this is a truly special timepiece: a vintage jumper hour, direct-read Louvic "Stan Spiegel" wristwatch. It is a manual-wind watch powered by a mechanical movement, with a digital display featuring seconds, minutes, and a jumping hour function. Swiss-made, it combines precision with classic style.
Encased in a 33.6mm round stainless-steel case, the watch has a retro design. Shock protected and waterproof.
The digital display, set against a silver-tone background, features black and white Arabic numerals on the discs. The dial is signed "Stan Spiegel" at the center, adding a distinctive touch.
The numerals for the hours, minutes, and seconds remain in excellent condition, contributing to its sleek and modern aesthetic. The watch is paired with a vintage black two-piece strap with a peach-skin texture.
This wristwatch is a stunning piece of history. Even after more than 50 years, it remains in great condition, keeping accurate time and running smoothly.
Thank you for your interest! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or respectful offers.
Case Markings:
Antimagnetic
Stainless Steel Back
Shock Protected
Swiss Made
Cased and Tested by Precision
Swiss Watch
Pat. No. 327016
Measurements (mm):
Case 33.6
Case w/Crown 36
Case Lug to Lug 41.4
Case Thickness 10.3
Lug Width 17
Band Width 18
Vintage watches are traditionally smaller than today's watches. Men’s watches typically measure between 29-36mm wide (some larger, some smaller) excluding the crown. In the listing details we typically try to do our best to list all pertinent dimensions of a watch. If you don't see it, or we failed to do so, please reach out to us. Women’s watches from the 1900s-1970s were also much smaller than today's offerings. Please also feel free to ask any questions you have pertaining to size.
We prefer to shoot photographs outside when weather is permitting. However, when we shoot indoors, please be aware that we shoot our photographs inside of lightboxes that are lit with 360 LED bulbs. This indeed magnifies any flaws. Usually, they are much less obvious to the naked eye. Having said that, we never photoshop any of our photography, remove blemishes, etc. We adjust the lighting, when necessary, but what you see is what you are getting, and we take pride in that.
The condition is pre-owned.
The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Please review the photos and feel free to ask any questions you may have.
It will be carefully packed.
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Thank you for looking!
WA-4534
