It’s time to get excited about Junghans watches again. It could possibly be the most beautiful of the brand’s innovations to date! The Meister Chronoscope (ref. 027/4526.00) in a deep blue sheen. No matter how many people share the same love of the brand’s fresh faced designs and an eagerness to add the latest release to their collection, we can’t help but adore the legacy that rattles around inside the wheels and cogs of every piece! The history of Junghans watches makes me think of a tale from an enchanted book. Erhard Junghan – walking through the thick Black Forest of Germany in the typical three-piece, square paisley suit of shawl, waistcoat and trousers. Skyline-silver lakes, towering trees of the forest dressed in colours of greens, yellows and oranges. And there through the foliage was his vision – his own clock accessories business. His brother-in-law would help acquire the assembly-line machinery to make the dream a reality and in time, to succeed in producing wrist watches and clocks of centuries to come. And thus the story began. You may have recently read our last written piece on one of our most favourite of German watch brands and how their successful story has evolved, but today we take a closer look at what they promise to impress us with this year at Basel 2015.
Demonstrating the importance that we attach to such highly skilled watchmaking are the delicate anglings and hand-executed finishes on the Junghans Meister Chronoscope’s balance bridges, winding wheels and screwed gold chatons. Sticking to its signature dial design based on inspirational artist and Bauhaust student Max Bills, the watch features curved hands, a narrow bezel and slightly recessed subdials. The mineral crystal glass is convex, made of hard plexiglass and SICRALAN coated. Another special feature is not only a date but also a day window at 3 o’clock. The chronograph minutes are at the top, the hours at the bottom and small seconds at 9 o’clock. Since the 1930’s Junghans have been presenting stopwatches with the ability to measure the performances of machines or average speeds in addition to just purely measuring time alone. The watch is powered by the automatic J880.1 calibre with a 40.7mm stainless steel and five times screwed back. Combined with a contrasting nut-brown leather strap, this characteristic design has yet again “wowed” dedicated global followers. Oozing with timeless sophistication and appeal, this year Junghans is reaching out to an even wider audience. Those who may not yet be aware of the brand’s endless choice of elegant and classic designs will be an easy target once the Chronoscope melts onto their wrists.
A long rich history is forged into the makings of these exquisite timepieces right from the very first pencil stroke of a design, straight through to the final polishing of the glass and strap before it is placed into its box for shipment. Indulging in the latest addition to Junghans’ Meister range is not simply about purchasing a new watch, it is embarking in the story that unfolds behind it. Who wouldn’t want to be part of its on-going history for future generations?
