Fears first introduced the Brunswick Jump Hour in 2023 as a collaboration with Christopher Ward and the Alliance of British Watch and Clock Makers and since then it has been a staple of the Brunswick range. However, as brands evolve, they mustn’t remain stagnant and so Fears has announced the launch of the final new Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour, the ‘Ultimus’, produced in collaboration with Andrew Morgan. The watch will be available to pre-order for one week only, running from August 10th – 17th.
The original Brunswick Jump Hour is heavily rooted in 1920s design, fusing a ‘20s pocket watch style display with Fears’ signature cushion case design, which also originated in that period. However, for the ‘Ultimus’, Andrew asked the question, what would the watch look like if you combine it with elements of contemporary wristwatch design? He then proposed the ‘Ultimus’ and the result is an interesting hybrid that feels entirely new.
Starting with the display, the jump hour function is now revealed in all its glory with the 12 Arabic numerals that make up the rotating disk in constant view. They are partially obscured by the translucent disk of the minute scale (punctuated by a black central minute hand), which is bigger and bolder in its execution than on previous editions. The dial, jump hour display and central minute disk are all produced in luminescent ceramic – a contemporary material that has seen increasing usage across the past handful of years.
The use of luminescent ceramic means that the entire display emits light in dark conditions, shining a pale blue colour. You’ll also notice that in its lumed state, there is a slight gradient around the edges of the face – this is designed to accentuate the appearance of the domed sapphire glass, which is a feature of wristwatches rather than the flatter glass of a pocket-watch and emphasising the duality of the ‘Ultimus’ between pocket and wrist design. Speaking of the glass, it has been given a cyclops lens over the hours to highlight the current time and further showcase the more modern, slightly sportier aesthetic.
While the dial is essentially brand new, the case is at least familiar. A 40.5mm cushion design that measures 12.8mm in thickness to the top of the domed crystal. It’s made from steel and has a 100m water resistance rating, keeping it nice and safe from accidental spills or adverse weather. It has a polished finish that lives up to its dressy nature.
Powering the Brunswick 40.5 Jump Hour ‘Ultimus’ (and the whole Jump Hour range for that matter) is the Sellita SW200 with Christopher Ward JJ01 jump hour module. It has a 38-hour power reserve and is fitted with a custom Fears Bristol Flower rotor. The jump hour module means that instead of having a continuous rotation, the hours disk moves once per hour on the hour, moving instantly from one numeral to the next – hence the name jump.
The watch is available to pre-order on an Epsom leather strap only at £4,450 or with an additional five-link steel bracelet at £4,750. The pre-order period will be open exclusively for one week, August 10th – 17th, online or via the Fears boutique in Bristol. It’s a shame that the coolest interpretation of the Jump Hour to date is also the last one. However, the closing of one chapter means the opening of a new one, so I would keep a close eye on Fears to see what they have coming next in 2026.
Price and Specs:
More details at Fears.
