Hello, today I would like to talk to you about a brand that I particularly love. It is Andersen Genève, a Geneva-based brand. Before moving on to the review of one of the brand’s watches, let me introduce you to the founder of this brand, Svend Andersen.
Born in Denmark in 1942, Svend Andersen moved to Switzerland in 1963 after completing his four-year apprenticeship as a watchmaker. He made a name for himself in the world of watchmaking in 1969 with his remarkable invention of the “Clock in a Bottle,” a horological interpretation of the concept of a « Ship in a Bottle.”
Having also worked for Gübelin and then Patek Philippe, he decided in 1980 to become independent and produce his own exclusive and complicated timepieces for collectors. His work combines incredible ingenuity with magnificent craftsmanship. This horological figure is also known for creating the AHCI (Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants) in 1985 alongside Vincent Calabrese.
In 2020, to celebrate its 40th anniversary, the brand introduced three new models: the Tempus Terrae Worldtime with a diamond baguette bezel; the Automaton JOKER in white gold, a collaboration with master watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin, and the 40th Anniversary Jumping Hours watch in red gold; a new masterful expression of a classic complication. These watches were joined a year later by the latest in the quartet: a platinum version of the 40th Anniversary Jumping Hours. Let’s move on to the watch.
What are the features of the Andersen Genève Jumping Hours?
Case
The Andersen Genève Jumping Hours features a dense platinum case, a material much more difficult and time-consuming to work with than gold. Measuring 38 mm in diameter and 9.2 mm thick, this piece has elegantly machined lugs that are separately crafted and meticulously soldered to the case, hugging the curvature of the wrist.
Dial
The Andersen Genève Jumping Hours is adorned with an exceptional dial featuring a hand-guilloché “Magic Diamond” pattern engraved on a 21-carat blue gold surface. Known as “BlueGold,” it is made of gold mixed with iron and heat-treated in a furnace. Due to this entirely artisanal process, no dial ever comes out of the furnace with the same tone, making each dial unique.
The complex “Magic Diamond” pattern is achieved using different machines, none of which are modern CNC machines controlled by computers. They are all traditional rose engine lathes operated manually. The result is an exceptional dial that constantly changes depending on the light reflections from different angles.
In addition to this dial, there are two plates on either side of the minute counter with the inscriptions “1980” and “2020,” marking the first 40 years of the company. The jumping hour is one of the most elegant traditional complications in watchmaking. It is indicated by an aperture at 12 o’clock, while the minutes pass on a sub-dial at 6 o’clock.
Movement
The Andersen Genève Jumping Hours houses a Frédéric Piguet 11.50 self-winding movement, one of the best automatic calibers in Swiss haute horlogerie due to its power. Beating at 21,600 vibrations per hour, this caliber is an ideal base to accommodate the jumping hour mechanism Developed and Manufactured in-house.
With a two-barrel architecture offering 60 hours of power reserve, it is visually enhanced by hand beveling and polished screws. The 18-carat yellow gold rotor is decorated with a hand-guilloché “barleycorn” pattern and the Andersen Genève “A”. Around the movement, a 21-carat blue gold ring sublimates the whole with a manual engraving of the text “40 years of independent timepiece creation.”
Strap
The Andersen Genève Jumping Hours comes with an alligator strap with a platinum pin buckle.
How much does the Andersen Genève Jumping Hours?
The Andersen Genève 40th Anniversary Jumping Hours in Platinum is a limited edition of 40 pieces. Only 4 pieces Remaining and Available. It is offered at a price of 48,800 CHF.
Andersen Genève Jumping Hours: A watch with a thousand reflections
Like all the brand’s creations, this Andersen Genève Jumping Hours is beautifully finished. In my opinion, it offers good value for money, considering the materials, craftsmanship, and complications. With a small team working in the heart of Geneva, only a few dozen timepieces leave the workshop each year – in fact, fewer than 1,500 timepieces have been made since 1980. I would like to thank Shahz for the honor of presenting this jewel to me at the Salon des Horlogers in Dubaï, a private salon dedicated to independent watchmaking.
Andersen Genève Jumping Hours – Watch Specifications
- Brand: Andersen Genève
- Model: Jumping Hours 40th Anniversary in Platinum
- Case Material: Platinum
- Dial: 18ct Pink Gold hand guilloché “Magical Losanges” motive
- Functions: Jumping Hours, Minutes
- Movement: Frederic Piguet cal. 11.50 with jumping hours module, Automatic, 21’600vph frequency (3 Hz), 28 jewels
- Power Reserve: 60 Hours
- Water Resistance: 3 ATM
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Sapphire Glass
- Case Dimension: 38 mm (Diameter) × 9.22 mm (Thickness)
- Strap: Hand-stitched Alligator Leather with Platinum Pin Buckle
- Availability : Limited Edition of 40 Timepieces / Only 4 pieces Remaining and Available
- Retail Price: CHF 48,800
What do you think of this magnificent piece? Do you like the Guilloché Dial? Share your thoughts in the comments.
For more information about Andersen Genève, click here.
