Audemars Piguet’s Neo Frame: A Revival of the Jumping Hour Trend
The jumping hour, often called a “ticket window” display, has rapidly gained popularity in watchmaking over the past year. Following releases from brands like Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Bremont, and Chopard, Audemars Piguet has entered the arena with its fresh Neo Frame Jumping Hour collection, drawing inspiration from a 1929 design.
A Historical Reimagining
Audemars Piguet’s history with jumping hours dates back to the 1920s, and the Neo Frame is a direct homage to a model from 1929. This earlier design was itself influenced by the Streamline Moderne movement, also known as Pacquebot or Ocean Liner style – a late branch of Art Deco. The aesthetic emphasized minimalism and aerodynamic forms, reflecting the era’s fascination with speed and modernity.
Design and Aesthetics
The Neo Frame features a rectangular case crafted from pink gold, with sides described by Audemars Piguet as “vertical gadroons” – eight on each side. A black PVD-treated sapphire crystal showcases two gold-framed apertures that display the hour and minute numerals. This design aligns with the current trend towards sleek, minimalist aesthetics and shaped cases, a departure from traditional round watch faces.
The Mechanics of a Jumping Hour
The jumping hour mechanism replaces traditional hands with numerals that instantly change every 60 minutes. Audemars Piguet was a pioneer in incorporating this function into wristwatches, producing 347 timepieces with this display between 1924 and 1951. The Neo Frame is powered by the brand’s first selfwinding jumping hour movement, caliber 7122, which builds upon the caliber 7121 found in the Royal Oak Jumbo models. It combines an instantaneous jumping hour with trailing minutes.
A New Collection for Audemars Piguet
The Neo Frame stands out as one of Audemars Piguet’s sleekest designs, particularly when compared to its signature, angular Royal Oak collection. The watch boasts a remarkably low-profile crown. The Neo Frame collection is a new addition to Audemars Piguet’s offerings, and its dimensions – 35.7mm wide and 47mm long – make it suitable for both men and women. The watch is priced at $71,200.
Recent Sightings
The rising popularity of unique watch designs was on display at the 2026 BAFTA Awards, where a variety of timepieces were showcased, including models from Rolex, Cartier, and Vacheron Constantin Hypebeast. The trend of jumping hours has also been noted by Forbes as a significant development in luxury watch design.