For 2013 Swiss Fortis releases two new limited edition Jumping Hour watches based on the system developed for the recent Fortis B-47 Mysterious Planets watch. These new watches are in the F-43 collection and are more plainly just called the Jumping Hour Limited Edition pieces. Two versions are available, one with a partially skeletonized dial, and one with a solid black dial with concentric circles as a dial texture. Is this a watch for you?

The jumping hour system is rather efficient. Built on a base Swiss ETA 2824, Fortis developed a module that turned the hour handling into a jumping disc with a window that moves over the hour markers. In the middle of the dial is still a central minute hand. When the minute hand reaches the end of the hour, the hour disc jumps in one smooth motion to the next hour indicator. Reading the time is pleasant and surprisingly enjoyable. It isn’t a watch for everyone, but Fortis wouldn’t be Fortis if they didn’t mix in some cool avant garde watches like this with their more military and aviation-style fare.

The Fortis F-43 Jumping Hour watches come in 43mm wide cases that seem to wear large due to the wide lugs and strap. The impressively large crown also helps the piece appear bigger. The crown is imbued with the Fortis crown logo, and the entire case is quite simple in its design being fully brushed and water resistant to 200 meters. So yea, you can practically go diving with these (despite them not having lume).

Features like very large strap screws in the lugs and the aforementioned large crown give the watch a unique tool-like appearance. Fortis produces a very straightforward “watch,” and is trying to remind the wearers of all its timepieces, that in essence, they are buying a timepiece from a utilitarian watch brand. Interestingly enough both the F-43 Jumping Hour and F-43 Jumping Hour Black are available with five strap options. That is a lot for a limited edition. You can get the Jumping hour with a black or brown leather strap, black crocodile strap, black silicon strap, or a steel metal bracelet. You’ll notice that the straps are nicely fitted to the case which is a most appreciated detail.