The Bremont Terra Nova 38 Jumping Hour Stealth Black

Watches with jumping hour complications are all the rage these days, with hot-off-the-press contributions from Audemars Piguet and the recently revived specialist brand, Niton. However, the biggest surprise in the jumping hours corner came from Bremont with the introduction of its Terra Nova Jumping Hour models in 2025. A brand associated with rugged, aviation-themed instrument watches, nobody saw this one coming. Following the successful bronze and steel iterations, the latest Terra Nova Jumping Hour Stealth Black undergoes a tactical upgrade and reappears in a full-black DLC case.

The grandfather of the complication was Austrian engineer and watchmaker Josef Pallweber, who patented his invention in 1883 and licensed it to IWC. The modern, digital look resonated with the sleek Art Deco aesthetic and migrated to wristwatches in the 1920s. While the concept is simple, there is more to the jumping hours complication than meets the eye.

Replacing the hour hand with a disc beneath the dial, the complication relies on a spring-loaded mechanism to release a powerful burst of energy when the minute hand reaches 60 to snap the hour disc forward in a fraction of a second. The challenge for watchmakers is releasing energy in a single, high-torque instant without disrupting the movement’s accuracy. In turn, the gear train must be energy-efficient and robust enough to handle shock loads, and the considerable energy consumption requires a larger mainspring.

Introduced in 2024, Bremont’s Terra Nova collection draws inspiration from early-20th-century military pocket watches. Embracing the simplicity, ruggedness and practicality of these yesteryear field watches, the Terra Nova collection blends historical provenance with 21st-century specifications.

Sharing the cushion-shaped case of the Terra Nova family, the new 38mm steel model, measuring 9.1mm in height, is sheathed in a full-black DLC coating. In line with its commando personality, the case and bracelet are decorated with a predominance of matte brushed surfaces. The closed caseback, decorated with a map of the world, might lead you to believe that the watch can take more than a splash. However, the depth rating is just 30 metres, which is disappointing for a rugged field watch.

Taking design cues from early-20th-century trench watches, which used shrapnel guards or metal grilles to protect their dials, the Terra Nova features a black DLC-coated, vertically brushed protective shield over the dial. The three apertures cut into the shield respond to a montre à guichet design (a guichet is French for a small aperture).

Arranged vertically, the trapezium-shaped aperture at noon reveals the jumping hours, the circular central window features the Wayfinder compass logo and a sweeping seconds hand, while the arched window below displays the minutes. To enhance legibility, the white Arabic hour numerals at noon and the hand of the seconds indicator are treated with Super-LumiNova.

Powered by calibre BC634, a Sellita-based automatic (SW300) with a proprietary jumping hour module, the high-torque movement ensures the jump between hours occurs in less than 1/10^th of a second. Beating at 28,800 vph, the movement is fitted with a Glucydur balance wheel, a Nivaflex mainspring, an Anachron balance spring and delivers a robust 56-hour power reserve.

The watch comes with two strap options: a black DLC bracelet with a folding clasp with a quick-release system or a black leather Bund strap, a nod to the straps used by pilots during WWII to protect their wrists from extreme temperatures. Made of black calfskin leather, the wider protective bund area can be removed to create a more traditional strap and can be easily switched with the quick-release pins.

The Terra Nova Jumping Hour Stealth Black on a steel DLC-coated bracelet retails for EUR 5,900; the model on a leather Bund strap for EUR 5,450. More information at bremont.com.