JUNGHANS

The Junghans brand has stood for quality, dependability, and enthusiasm for over 150 years. The long-established, independent firm, based in Schramberg, Germany, creates and manufactures watches that set new standards and are highly regarded across the world. The proprietors strive hard to retain traditions while moving intentionally ahead to a bright future, having strong links to the company's location and being devoted to the principles that Junghans symbolizes. The design and engineering of the company's timepieces represent both tradition and an unwavering spirit of innovation. The range encompasses all contemporary watchmaking technology in this regard: From antique mechanical timepieces and quartz technology to the company's own radio-controlled and solar technologies, there's something for everyone.

Junghans' narrative, which began in the Black Forest in 1861, is one of the most exciting and interesting success stories in German watchmaking. The success of Junghans watches is due to their inventiveness and quest of perfection. Junghans clocks established an international reputation as solid precision German manufacturing goods immediately after the business was founded in 1861. Arthur Junghans, the company's founder's son and himself a famous inventor, has a long list of accomplishments. Arthur Junghans had a unique ability to blend technological breakthroughs with traditional matching ideals. Watches, which were entirely mechanical at the time, were more accessible to a wider range of people, and the firm expanded in popularity. Junghans had the world's largest watch manufacturing by 1903.

The demands on clocks have evolved with time, but the junghans principle has stayed consistent. Junghans' work is still shaped by a unique combination of traditional matching craft, pursuit of innovation, and a blending of contemporary and tradition. Traditional ideals continue to shape the history of matching. The name Junghans is inextricably tied to the creation and continuous development of radio technology. Junghans was voted the most trusted brand in Germany in the Readers' Digest survey "European Most Trusted Brands" in 2003 and 2004.

In 1861, the Junghans watch manufacturing was founded. In Schramberg, Erhard Junghans created the enterprise. Together with his brother-in-law, Jakob Zeller-Tobler, he visits a little community in the Black Forest. They began by specializing in the creation of individual watch components. Junghan's work immediately became known for its accuracy and high production quality. In 1866, the company's own master watchmakers created and built the first timepieces carrying the Junghans trademark.

Arthur Junghans took over the firm in 1875 after his father's tragic death. On his travels across America, he had researched the newest technology as a watchmaker. As a result, several ideas made their way into a corporation where Arthur Junghans was now in charge of design, building, and technical advancement.

In 1890, the 8-point star that is now used as the Junghans trademark was originally registered. Many patents and procedures had already been created at the time, giving Junghans a competitive advantage in quality and production. Junghans timepieces became regarded as inexpensive, high-quality German items that sold well all over the world. Arthur Junghan's aim became a reality in 1903, when Junghans became the world's largest watch manufacturer. Each year, over 3,000 people manufactured over 3 million timepieces. The manufacturing plant has to be enlarged quickly. As a result, the terrace building was born, with a step-like structure that provided natural light to each watchmaker's workstation. This structure also housed the factory that produced Germany's first mechanical wristwatches.

In 1920, after Arthur Junghans' death, his sons Erwin and Oscar took over the company's administration. It was no simple undertaking to carry on the company's tradition and maintain its high standards, but the brothers succeeded. In keeping with the spirit of the era, an increasing number of wristwatches were produced, soon displacing pocket watches as the most popular watch style on the market. The inventive spirit of Junghans' master watchmakers remained unabated even after the facility was dismantled during WWII. As early as 1946, Junghans created the first wristwatch chronograph movement, the renowned j88. In the new market context of post-war rebuilding, Junghans was also able to establish itself as a corporation with a rich history and a spirit of innovation. One such breakthrough was the first line of electronic timepieces, which debuted in 1955. In 1957, he began working with Max Bill of the Bauhaus school, whose unpretentious style is still popular today.

Junghans began to focus on new, more exact techniques of measuring time after the company's successful consolidation in 1945. The electric movement was the first fruit of these efforts. Junghans, on the other hand, focused on and advanced the newly invented quartz technology. The first quartz clock in Germany was made in the late 1960s, while the first quartz wristwatch in Germany was made in 1970. Junghans created history yet again as the official timekeeper of the 1972 Olympic Games, as a pioneer of chronographic progress.

When Junghans built the first radio-controlled table clock, they ushered in yet another revolution in the clock and watch industry. In 1990, the mega 1 became the world's first radio-controlled wristwatch, after the first radio-controlled solar clock. In 2005, Junghans released the Mega 1000, a fresh rendition of the world's first radio-controlled wristwatch, combining contemporary style and ultra-modern technology to commemorate the Mega 1's 15th anniversary and pay respect to the original.

Junghans valued an autonomous design culture almost as much as continual technological advancement. This assertion was bolstered by the design and production of Junghans watches in the Max Bill style, which began in 1956. This cooperation resulted in a now-legendary watch line that has since become a modern design classic. The debut of the world's first radio-controlled wristwatch, the Mega 1, in collaboration with Frog Design, also set innovative design highlights in 1990. The years leading up to this were momentous, with the business introducing the Astro-Quartz, the first German quartz wristwatch, in 1970.The first radio-controlled solar watch, in 1993, and the use of high-tech materials such as ceramics, the first multi-frequency radio-controlled watch, in 2004, as well as the development of the mechanical collection, were all milestones in the pioneering 1990s. Junghans honored their 150-year anniversary in 2011 with three limited-edition mechanical models and innovative adaptations of classic series like the Meister line.

In the Force model, Junghans' unique multi-frequency radio-controlled technology was combined with solar technology for the first time in a ceramic casing. Its ultra-slim movement has Junghans Autoscan technology, which allows for automated recognition of the current time signal and time synchronization when traveling. In 2012, Junghans began an exciting relationship with Bogner: the mechanical watch collection Bogner by Junghans was produced in close collaboration with the accomplished sportsmen, director, and fashion designer, with Willy Bogner as the inspiration.

At Uhrenfabrik Junghans in 2013, the exquisite Meister watches are setting the tone. They reflect both the brand's history and present with their distinctive design: originally produced in the 1930s and subsequently refined until the 1960s, they now make a clear statement for Junghans' building of classic mechanical timepieces.

The Meister collection from Uhrenfabrik Junghans in Schramberg has a long and illustrious history that dates back to the 1930s. Only the company's best movements were put in Meister watches from the start, ensuring the highest quality standards. The unique models continue to exhibit the greatest level of watchmaking competence as well as the identifiable Junghans design, which gives the classic brand its original identity.

The Meister range may be dated all the way back to 1936. It is recognized by its carefully crafted movements, in addition to its distinctive look. The term "Meister" (engl. Master) comes from the excellent quality of the movements employed: only the best, most complicated movements from Uhrenfabrik Junghans are utilized in the intricate interiors of these models, demonstrating Junghans' highest degree of mechanical ability.

Anton Ziegler, a "watch architect," was in charge of the outward design of the classically exquisite clocks until the 1960s. Anton Ziegler's design approaches are based on even proportions and a high degree of quality. He was particularly concerned with the dials' balance: "An appealing watch can only be made when the interaction between the dial parts is perfect," the designer's slogan goes. These ideals may still be found in the long-standing company's design culture today.

Junghans set new benchmarks in the Meister collection and the watch industry in the 1950s and 1960s. With the calibre J82, Junghans established itself as Germany's biggest maker of chronometers as early as 1951. The chronometer certified calibre J82, with its exceptionally wide screw balance, is a key milestone in movement development that helped Junghans become the world's third-largest chronometer manufacturer in 1956. Throughout the years leading up to 1960, the J82 was constantly improved and fitted in hundreds of officially-tested chronometers every year.

The calibre J88, a column wheel chronograph with a sophisticated Breguet spring designed in-house and applied on the company's chronographs from 1949 forward, is another renowned movement. For the first time in 1951, the dials had a tachymeter and telemeter function. Junghans was awarded the order when the newly formed Bundeswehr needed a service watch for its pilots in 1955. It went on to create the now-famous pilot chronograph, which included a dodecagonal bezel (type BW-111). In 1970, the final Meister watches were produced, since the industry's attention had switched to quartz timepieces, which were edging mechanical watches out of the market.

The Meister range was given a fresh lease on life in 2011. Uhrenfabrik Junghans celebrated its 150th anniversary this year, and the watches were given a modern new interpretation based on their historic predecessors to commemorate the event. Their distinctive design symbolizes both the brand's past and current. The saucer-shaped subdials give the traditionally styled dials their distinct look.

To commemorate the company's 50th anniversary, limited special editions of the Meister Chronoscope and Meister Chronometer were given out. In addition to traditional designs like the Meister Handaufzug with a subsidiary second, the Meister Classic, and the Meister Chronoscope, the range now incorporates complexities like the moon phase and calendar week display. A feminine rendition of the historic ancestors was made for the ladies.

Junghans introduced a newcomer to the ranks of Meister watches in 2014, inspired by a classic chronograph from 1951. Specific features, such as the odd layout of the subdials, are updated in the Meister Telemeter. The Meister Telemeter, which also has a telemeter and a tachymeter scale, is a successful tribute to its forefathers. The minute graduation is surrounded by a delicate scale, and the dial is gleaming silver, exuding both modern and historic qualities. This contemporary reinterpretation of the timepiece is a regular companion – not just for athletic events – thanks to the blend of traditional watch design and sporty vitality on the dial.

With the Meister Pilot, the range took to the skies in 2015: the timepiece's recognizable design and mechanical independence make it the ideal wrist co-pilot. Its design integrates essential design aspects from the iconic Junghans pilot watch from 1955, merging them with the contemporary Meister collection's beautiful, light shapes. The anti-reflective coating on both sides of the domed sapphire crystal ensures a clear view of the clear luminous numerals and unique hands.

The seven-time screwed case back, which contains a distinguishing element: a specially-designed compass rose that blends the iconography of classic aviation in the shape of an artificial horizon, demonstrates the attention to detail. The front assembly's unique design approach gives the timepiece an extraordinary level of beauty for a pilot watch – as well as the lightness necessary for takeoff.

Junghans and the vehicle have a long history together, dating back to the late 1800s, when Arthur Junghans, the company's founder's son, was already a car lover. With the debut of the Meister Driver in 2016, Uhrenfabrik Junghans is once again showing its enthusiasm for automobiles, which is shared by the current owners, Dr. Hans-Jochem Steim and Hannes Steim.

The Meister Driver's design is inspired by aspects of historic vehicles from their extensive collection. The clocks incorporate design elements from these classics' instrument displays: dials suggestive of a speedometer, a unique paint scheme, and a leather strap with contrasting seam, evoking leather vehicle seats, all of which highlight the watches' historic history.