Jump Hour / Saltarello

Universal Genève Jump Hour — 18k Gold — 1931

An extraordinary discovery and a remarkable coincidence in the history of Universal Genève.

After previously discovering what appeared to be a possibly unique Universal Genève Jump Hour, another example has now surfaced — and its provenance makes the discovery even more exceptional.

Dating to 1931 and preserved in a beautifully proportioned solid 18k yellow gold case, this rare Jump Hour embodies the experimental spirit and refined elegance of early Universal Genève. Its unconventional digital-style display, with jumping hours and wandering minutes, reflects the remarkable creativity of a manufacture willing to challenge the traditional ways of reading time.

What makes this example particularly fascinating is its serial number, which is just one digit apart from that of the previously discovered gold example. Such an extraordinary proximity strongly suggests that the two watches may have been produced consecutively — potentially on the very same day, at the same workbench and by the same craftsmen.

Nearly a century later, the two watches have crossed paths once again, after decades of separate histories.

For collectors, discoveries such as this are extraordinarily rare. Not only does the watch represent an exceptional and highly unusual piece of early 20th-century Universal Genève, but the extraordinary relationship between its serial number and that of the previously discovered example adds a unique layer of historical significance.

A remarkable survivor from 1931 — where rarity, craftsmanship and an almost unbelievable coincidence come together in a truly exceptional timepiece.