Introducing: The Maen × Nico Leonard Jump Hour

Late last year, I had the opportunity to go hands-on with the Maen collection for the first time. I’d heard of the brand but had only seen photographs. I was highly impressed with the case finishing, dials, and bracelets. Best of all, the watches felt far more expensive than their price tags suggested. With today’s Maen × Nico Leonard Jump Hour, we witness a modern take on a traditional complication. Thankfully, it looks great and is affordable.

With Maen having Dutch founders, it’s no surprise the brand is working with Nico Leonard, the popular YouTuber who hails from the same country, on a collaborative piece. While I’m not familiar with Nico’s horological likes and dislikes, it’s interesting that the two decided on a jump-hour watch. These eccentric pieces show time much differently than many other mechanical watches, and frankly, they’re quite close to an analog version of the modern digital watches we know and love. It’s surprising, then, that they have remained niche. Now there is a trio of modern interpretations on the scene — for a brief period.

The Maen × Nico Leonard Jump Hour

One only has to steal a glance at the new Maen × Nico Leonard collaboration to see that it’s a jump-hour watch. A sparse dial with two openings is the giveaway, but let’s talk overall specs first. The tonneau-tank hybrid is made of stainless steel and offers modern dimensions. Yet, the 34mm by 45mm sizing is respectful of the fact that these complications typically sit within small, antiquated cases. In a move that supports the contemporary push, Maen pairs these watches with 20mm ridged FKM straps and push-button folding clasps. These are available in black, green, or white.

Three sunray dials

The Jump Hour comes in three dial flavors. Classic black, forest-green, and vibrant red sunray dials all partner with a pair of black-on-white hour and minute wheels. The hour aperture maintains the case shape and has an intermediate step down to a rectangular opening. The arc-shaped minute window has Nico Leonard’s Pride & Pinion company logo printed below it. Maen’s signature logo, complete with serifs, is the perfect accompaniment to this style of watch. Topping the entire dial is a flat sapphire crystal. Many watches with this complication feature a metal dial with small crystals over each window. I prefer what Maen has done with this new piece and find it a more eye-catching look.

A case with multiple finishes

Once again, Maen has created a case that should look fantastic in person. The lugs have a polished surface on top and throughout the chamfers, while the flanks and the central top portion are brushed. It creates a contemporary, two-tone look that works beautifully with the sparse dial design. A large-diameter but relatively short signed crown doesn’t interrupt the case lines. Finally, note how the strap flows directly into the case. The look is smooth, restrained, and finished.

Using a modified ST1721 jump-hour movement

Maen opted for the Seagull ST1721 caliber, a well-known automatic jump-hour movement. This application receives an in-house modification to suit the simpler aesthetic requirements of the collaboration. Normally, watches with this 20-jewel caliber have a central minute hand, running sub-seconds, and a date window. The specs are still largely the same as the stock movement, meaning a frequency of 21,600vph and a power reserve of 38 hours. While the ST1721 isn’t bad to look at, Maen wisely used an on-theme brushed case back held by six screws.

Limited but with a comfortable ordering window

The Maen × Nico Leonard Jump Hour is a limited edition, but the number produced will be determined by orders during a lengthy window on the brand’s site. On April 1st at 00:01 CEST, the VIP Presale will open (subscribe to Maen’s newsletter to qualify as a VIP), and it will run until April 7th at 16:00 CEST. Public sales will begin at this point and run until April 13th at 00:00 CEST. The advantage of ordering during the VIP period is earlier delivery.

So, what’s the price for this lovely jump-hour watch? At €999 (ex. VAT), it seems incredibly fair considering Maen’s attention to detail and habit of creating expensive-feeling watches. It also seems like a great way to try a complication that many of us do not own. I don’t have a jump-hour watch, so should this be my first? Chime in below, and let us know what you think about this unexpected new release.

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