HOGA Directime Jump Hour Automatic Watch — Ref. 9034 — Gold-Plated Rectangular Case — Swiss Made — ca. 1975s — Baschmakoff System
CHF 1200.00
A rare and remarkable piece of Swiss horological history: the HOGA Directime, reference 9034, produced in Switzerland circa the early 1970s. This is one of the more unusual variants of the celebrated Directime line — presented in a bold rectangular gold-plated case rather than the more commonly encountered round stainless steel examples, making it a genuinely scarce find for collectors of avant-garde vintage timepieces.
The Directime System
Rather than conventional hands, this watch displays the time through a revolving disc mechanism visible through a vertical porthole window set into the case. The upper portion of the window shows a rotating minute disc with a fixed red indicator needle; the lower portion reveals the jumping hour — a large, bold numeral that snaps forward precisely at each new hour. This patented "jump hour" or "directime" system was developed in the spirit of the Space Age, conceived as a mechanical answer to the emerging digital watch era of the 1970s.
The movement powering this watch is a high-grade Swiss automatic calibre AS 1901/1902, 17 jewels, with Incabloc shock protection — a robust and well-regarded workhorse built to last.
Case & Markings
The case is finished in gold plate (Plaqué Or), with a steel back (Fond Acier) engraved DIRECTIME — 9034 — Swiss Made Mod. Déposé. The side lug area carries the Plaqué Or hallmark stamp, confirming gold-plated construction. The crystal is original, with its characteristic protruding dome form. The crown is intact and functional.
Attachment / Bracelet
This particular example features no traditional lug system — there are no drilled or soldered lug horns for a standard strap attachment. The rectangular case appears designed for a proprietary integrated bracelet or rail-mount system, meaning a standard aftermarket strap cannot be fitted without modification. The watch is therefore presented as a case-only piece, without bracelet or strap, and sourcing a period-correct bracelet would require specialist research.
Multi-Brand Platform
The Directime system was marketed under several distinguished Swiss and French labels — including HOGA, Damas, LIP, Vulcain, and notably Carl F. Bucherer (Lucerne), who also distributed this platform under the Bucherer name for the Swiss luxury retail market. The most collectible versions are those associated with the French designer Prince François de Baschmakoff, who created the disc-display concept for LIP in the early 1970s. The case design is registered as a protected model (Modèle Déposé). HOGA-branded examples represent the same high-quality platform in Swiss market guise.
The Directime System
Rather than conventional hands, this watch displays the time through a revolving disc mechanism visible through a vertical porthole window set into the case. The upper portion of the window shows a rotating minute disc with a fixed red indicator needle; the lower portion reveals the jumping hour — a large, bold numeral that snaps forward precisely at each new hour. This patented "jump hour" or "directime" system was developed in the spirit of the Space Age, conceived as a mechanical answer to the emerging digital watch era of the 1970s.
The movement powering this watch is a high-grade Swiss automatic calibre AS 1901/1902, 17 jewels, with Incabloc shock protection — a robust and well-regarded workhorse built to last.
Case & Markings
The case is finished in gold plate (Plaqué Or), with a steel back (Fond Acier) engraved DIRECTIME — 9034 — Swiss Made Mod. Déposé. The side lug area carries the Plaqué Or hallmark stamp, confirming gold-plated construction. The crystal is original, with its characteristic protruding dome form. The crown is intact and functional.
Attachment / Bracelet
This particular example features no traditional lug system — there are no drilled or soldered lug horns for a standard strap attachment. The rectangular case appears designed for a proprietary integrated bracelet or rail-mount system, meaning a standard aftermarket strap cannot be fitted without modification. The watch is therefore presented as a case-only piece, without bracelet or strap, and sourcing a period-correct bracelet would require specialist research.
Multi-Brand Platform
The Directime system was marketed under several distinguished Swiss and French labels — including HOGA, Damas, LIP, Vulcain, and notably Carl F. Bucherer (Lucerne), who also distributed this platform under the Bucherer name for the Swiss luxury retail market. The most collectible versions are those associated with the French designer Prince François de Baschmakoff, who created the disc-display concept for LIP in the early 1970s. The case design is registered as a protected model (Modèle Déposé). HOGA-branded examples represent the same high-quality platform in Swiss market guise.
Condition notes
The case shows light surface wear consistent with age and use. The movement runs, however the jump hour mechanism does not advance reliably — the hour disc does not snap forward cleanly at each hour change, which is a known issue with the AS jump-hour calibre (typically caused by spring tension loss, lever misalignment, or wear on the disc pins). Service by a qualified watchmaker familiar with AS jump-hour movements is strongly recommended. No bracelet or strap included; no standard lug attachment present. Sold as a collector's item.
HOGA
Directime
Jump Hour
Baschmakoff
Swiss Made
Automatic
AS 1901
AS 1902