In 2019, I reviewed the very first Lesablier, a 24-hour quartz called the Aviateur VQ. Because the brand was local, I was able to sit down for lunch with Akbar, the brand’s founder and designer. While he was happy to chat about the VQ, he was far more excited to tell me about what would come next. His next release would be the Sport Classic, a remarkable leap forward that would become a foundational piece in the Lesablier line and set the design language for future models. Another was a jump-hour concept. He knew what he wanted; he had a design, but for a growing microbrand, jump-hour movements were just out of reach. I’m pleased to say that is no longer the case. Akbar has finally released the Lesablier Temporis Sauterelle ($1,745), and it is a beauty. I sampled a green prototype.
The key to the Temporis Sauterelle is its movement: the Lesablier Caliber LJ1, a smooth, reliable Miyota 9015 retrofitted with a jump-hour module. As I mentioned in my review of the Canuck Fourth Dimension, hour disk displays are tricky to read as the hour turns over. The numbers creep past the window, leaving the viewer with partially obscured digits, blank spaces, and the confusing minutes when it’s 55 minutes past the hour, but the next hour is fully in the frame. A jumping hour snaps smartly into frame right at turnover. It’s more complex, and therefore more expensive, but absolutely essential.
It’s nicely finished too. A peek through the exhibition caseback shows Geneva stripes and a custom gold rotor. While we’re here, note the fabulous engraved sun-ray pattern on the case back. I understand the production versions will have an even deeper engraving.
The Temporis’s case departs from the usual Lesablier formula: the faceted case and multi-sided bezel are gone, replaced by a tonneau shape with multiple levels of alternating brushed and polished surfaces. A stout, signed, fluted crown is flanked by polished guards, mirrored on the opposite side by a bumper of the same shape. It’s all sharply executed, with crisp edges and tight transitions. It’s radically different, yet it still feels right at home in the brand’s lineup.
This isn’t a dainty watch, though the specs might fool you; 39.5mm wide and 46mm long seems pretty modest, but the stainless steel case is also a smidgen over 12mm thick, giving the Temporis Sauterelle a more athletic stance than you might expect. Sheer sides and a broad bezel reinforce that impression. It presents as a sports watch, but despite the screw-down crown, it is rated to only 30m water resistance. I’d say it sits between sport and dress. You can wear it with a suit (I did) or dress up a smart casual outfit with it (I would), but don’t subject it to scuba diving or the like (I’d never, though mainly for reasons unrelated to the watch).
That said, the Temporis is remarkably easy to wear, even for those of us who are slight of wrist. I’m 6.75″, I know Akbar’s wrist is even smaller, and both of us wore the Temporis Sauterelle without issue. I felt it filled out my wrist without overwhelming it.
Because single-handed jumping hour watches already have an odd layout, designers tend to unleash their most creative dial designs. For the Lesablier, this means a fluted rehaut, a metallic minutes track that wraps underneath the hour window, and a selection of exotic stone dials: Aventurine, Tiger’s Eye, Lapis Lazuli, and the Malachite shown here. The depth and color of the green Malachite is gorgeous, but of course, each will show its own unique pattern. Not into stone? Then consider the Openworks dial, which follows Lesablier’s tradition by presenting the discs and movement through smoked sapphire. All of the options have color-matched hour discs.
As I mentioned above, this particular watch is a prototype, so certain aspects will be improved before it moves into production. The most obvious will be the hand. It is flat on this unit, which makes it nearly invisible under certain light conditions. The final product will be slightly longer and faceted to catch the light.
Telling time on the Temporis Sauterelle is a casual affair. There is no second hand, and the minute hand makes its way across a barrel-shaped index with nearly illegible markings and numbers. I say this not to present a failure, but to highlight a point of character. It is a watch that says, “It’s ten after one,” not “It’s 1:09 and 32 seconds.” This is not only perfectly acceptable, but it also reflects how most human beings perceive time.
Akbar informed me that the lume will also be improved. “Lume?” you may ask. Yes indeed. On stone dials, the hours and the band inside the minutes track are both BGW9 Super-LumiNova. While it looks sharp at night, you have to squint to see the shadow of the minute hand interrupting the glow. Openworks models get a fully lumed hand for exponentially greater utility.
Lesablier always pays extra attention to its bracelets’ designs. Here, we have a unique, integrated bracelet with broad, brushed links and smaller, almost hidden, polished links, all secured by a butterfly deployant. I appreciated its attractive finish and low profile.
Not everyone loves butterfly clasps. The most common complaint is the lack of microadjustment. Lesabier addresses this with expansion links on either side of the clasp. I wouldn’t rely on it to go over your wetsuit, but it’s enough for relief on a hot day, and, frankly, that is the far more likely scenario for a watch like this. If you are still opposed, you can pop off at the quick-release pins and swap a suitable 20mm strap.
Finally, the bracelet will see one last change in the shape of its outer links. Right now, they are curved. Production links will be flat to better match the case’s sharp angles.
The Temporis Sauterelle is great fun and a fine example of Lesablier’s ability to push the boundaries of microbrand watchmaking at what is still a remarkably reasonable price point. Granted, even in a world where gasoline is $5.00 a gallon (perhaps especially so), $1,745 is real money. For that price, you would reasonably demand quality construction, distinctive design, exotic materials, and clever engineering. The Lesablier Temporis Sauterelle delivers it all.
Pre-orders are open now, with expected delivery in the first quarter of 2027. For more information, see lesablierwatches.com.
