In Depth Audemars Piguet Neo Frame Jumping Hour

Last week, Audemars Piguet kicked off 2026 by unveiling a series of releases that included standout models from its iconic Royal Oak and Code 11:59 collections, as well as a pocket watch considered one of the brand’s most complicated pieces. Among these, Audemars Piguet also revealed one of its most distinctive creations in recent years: the Neo Frame Jumping Hour. This rectangular timepiece draws inspiration from classic vintage aesthetics, yet it is executed with contemporary precision, making it one of the brand’s most surprising releases in recent memory.

What makes the Neo Frame Jumping Hour particularly notable is that it represents a bold step for Audemars Piguet in an era where the brand’s contemporary identity is largely associated with the Royal Oak collection, making this departure from familiar territory a rare and daring move.

With the resurgence of jumping-hour complications across the watch industry, Audemars Piguet presents its own interpretation: a design firmly rooted in the brand’s heritage yet confidently looking toward the future. Importantly, it is the first AP watch equipped with a self-winding jumping-hour movement.

This watch also inaugurates what the brand intends to develop as the Neo Frame collection, dedicated to shaped cases and aperture-style time displays. Its design draws clear inspiration from the brand’s archives, as Audemars Piguet has been producing rectangular watches and jumping-hour models since the 1920s.

Like its historical predecessor, this new model takes cues from the Streamline Moderne movement, also known as the Paquebot or “Ocean Liner” style, a late Art Deco evolution defined by aerodynamic forms, fluid lines, and dynamic curves inspired by aviation and maritime design.

What makes the Neo Frame particularly striking is its case construction. While its appearance is classically inspired at first glance, the execution relies entirely on advanced engineering and modern manufacturing techniques.

The rectangular case, crafted in 18-carat pink gold, follows the aesthetic codes of the pre-model 1271 as a contemporary tribute to Streamline design. Eight gadroons flank each side of the case, flowing gracefully into pointed lugs, evoking a sense of aerodynamic motion. This distinctive CNC-machined motif is echoed on the caseback, crown, and rotor, all in 18-carat pink gold. Exceptional precision was required to align the caseback lines perfectly with the lugs for seamless visual continuity.

The complex geometry of the case and the integrated strap give the watch distinctive proportions. It measures 34 mm in width and 8.8 mm in thickness, but the top-to-bottom length is less straightforward due to the visual extension of the strap to the sapphire crystal. Including the lugs, the total length reaches approximately 47 mm—significantly larger than the pre-model 1271 that inspired it.

The watch underwent extensive ergonomic refinement to adapt this historic design for modern wear. A newly designed crown enhances comfort during winding while maintaining a refined aesthetic.

The Neo Frame features a contemporary two-tone display built around a black PVD-treated sapphire crystal. Two gold-framed apertures reveal the hour and minute numerals in white on a black background, with the Audemars Piguet signature at 6 o’clock in pink gold.

Despite its seemingly simple appearance, the sapphire dial required extensive technical development and bespoke assembly processes. While the original pre-model 1271 used metal dials in various gold tones or platinum, this modern reinterpretation replaces the metal dial with sapphire to meet contemporary standards.

Achieving water resistance posed a particular challenge. Typically, this is ensured by pressing the crystal into a metal bezel. However, the Neo Frame lacks metal framing at 12 and 6 o’clock, leaving portions of the sapphire exposed. To ensure 20 meters of water resistance, the dial plate is bonded directly to the sapphire crystal before securing it inside the case—a technique developed specifically for this model.

The watch is powered by the Manufacture’s first self-winding jumping-hour movement. The new Calibre 7122 is based on Calibre 7121, introduced in 2022 for Royal Oak “Jumbo” models, but fully re-engineered in-house to integrate an instantaneous jumping-hour complication with trailing minutes.

The movement delivers precision, performance, and reliability, with a 52-hour power reserve and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). It is wound via a solid pink gold openworked rotor.

Calibre 7122 also incorporates a patented shock-absorbing system designed to prevent unintended hour jumps in the event of impact, making the watch suitable for everyday wear. To further enhance shock resistance and energy efficiency, the hour disc is made of titanium, while the progressively displayed minute disc is made of aluminum. The use of lightweight materials reduces energy consumption and ensures stable performance and power reserve.

The watch comes with a black textured calfskin strap that integrates seamlessly with the case, meeting the sapphire crystal between the lugs, further reinforcing the vintage inspiration. It is secured with a pink gold pin buckle.

The Neo Frame Jumping Hour joins Audemars Piguet’s permanent collection and is priced at CHF 56,300, approximately AED 270,000, with availability starting in June.

For more information visit the official website of Audemars Piguet.