In 1883, Austrian watchmaker Josef Pallweber revolutionized timekeeping with an innovative display mechanism. Instead of traditional watch hands, his design used rotating discs inscribed with hours and minutes, concealed beneath the dial. These discs advanced in precise jumps, revealing the time through small apertures—an early precursor to the “jump hour” and “guichet” watch.
The term guichet, French for “ticket window,” refers to the small openings through which the time is displayed. While never mainstream, these watches have long captivated collectors for their rarity and ingenuity. Among the most iconic is Cartier’s Tank à Guichets, introduced in 1928 in a limited run. Its steel dial featured an hour window at 12 o’clock and a minutes display in an arc at 6 o’clock, famously worn by jazz legend Duke Ellington.
A Modern Revival
Cartier has reignited interest in this horological rarity with its latest release at Watches and Wonders 2025. The brand reintroduced the Tank à Guichets in four iterations: three in yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum, faithfully echoing the original, and a fourth in platinum limited to just 200 pieces. This exclusive model reimagines the 1928 design with a slanted layout—hours at 10 o’clock and minutes at 6 o’clock.
The Tank à Guichets stands as Cartier’s first jumping-hour watch, a hallmark of guichet timepieces. Its stark steel dial, more armored in appearance than even the World War I-inspired Tank Normale, underscores its bold, avant-garde spirit.
Decoding the Terminology
The world of guichet watches often blurs distinctions between related concepts. Here’s a closer look:
Guichet: A small aperture displaying hours or minutes, akin to a ticket window. While oversized date displays also use apertures, they aren’t typically classified as guichet watches.
Jump Hour: A digital hour display where a disc advances in abrupt jumps rather than a smooth transition.
Outsize Date: A large date display, often using two discs for a “digital” effect, sometimes with a jumping mechanism.
Digital Display: A numerical readout (e.g., jump hour) distinct from LCD or LED screens.
The Enduring Allure of Guichet Watches
From MB&F’s avant-garde Horological Machines to Cartier’s timeless reissues, guichet watches continue to push boundaries. Their rarity and inventive designs ensure they remain coveted collector’s items—testaments to the creativity of the watchmakers who dare to rethink time. For enthusiasts, these pieces offer more than functionality; they are wearable art, blending history with cutting-edge horology.
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