When I think of Junghans, I think of minimalist, Bauhaus-inspired watches with uncluttered dials and slender cases. It’s rare I think of their pilot’s watches. But the German watchmaker does have a number of aviation-inspired designs under their horological belt, and this past week, I’ve had the pleasure of getting up close and personal with one: the Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic Navy Blue watch.
Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic - Credit WatchGecko
Most people who are familiar with Junghans will know of their Black Forest heritage and their relationship with designer and architect Max Bill who produced a line of modern wristwatches with Bauhaus sensibilities. A more unfamiliar part of their history however is their involvement in the production of flight instruments and airship clocks.
One of Junghans’ earliest aviation clocks was utilised in the cockpit of the Zeppelin L55, a record-breaking aircraft that reached an altitude of over 7,600 metres in 1917 while evading British reconnaissance planes. During the 1930’s, Junghans also developed special clock systems for airships which with its innovative electronic synchronisation allowed passengers to monitor both local time and home time as they travelled over multiple time zones.
Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic - Credit WatchGecko
It wasn’t until the 1950’s however that Junghans created their first pilot’s watch after they were asked to produce a service watch for the pilots of the Bundeswehr. It was powered by the J88 intermediate wheel chronograph movement and boasted a unique 12 notched bezel, legible display and prominent piston-shaped pushers. It takes only one quick glance at the 1950’s Bundeswehr chronograph and today’s modern selection of Junghans pilot’s watches to see where the design inspiration has originated from. And that goes for the new Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic Navy Blue watch too…
The Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic Navy Blue Watch
I’ll be honest, if I was only familiar with Junghans’ better-known Max Bill and Meister models and I spotted the Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic Navy Blue watch from a far, I would have no intuition this was from the same brand. The design DNA is just so different; yes its still super slim for a pilot’s watch and it’s very nicely executed, but the unusual octagonal bezel, slightly raised Arabic numerals and statement crown feel totally unfamiliar to Junghans. Now that’s not to say this isn’t a handsome watch, because it certainly is, and I think Junghans deserve to have more attention brought to their lesser-known collections like the Meister Pilot and the similar Meister Driver.
Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic - Credit Guest Author
The Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic Navy Blue watch begins with a sturdy black DLC coated stainless steel case measuring to 43.3mm wide. It’s most notable feature by far is the bi-directional rotating bezel with 12 deeply grooved notches. While this is certainly a design choice inspired by their original Junghans pilot’s watch from the 1950’s, it also definitely has a functional purpose. With how slim the case is, measuring to 12.5mm tall, grabbing hold of a round smooth bezel would be rather difficult and so the 12 notches makes manipulation easy. The bezel is also coated in black DLC, engraved with a white 60 minute scale and set with a luminous pip.
Turning over the Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic Navy Blue watch reveals further black DLC coating on the case back plus a special white and grey printed image of an aircraft. The back is secured by seven small screws to ensure a 100 metre water resistant rating. The case is completed by domed sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating, a large knurled non-screw locked crown and a dark navy blue leather strap. The strap is neatly detailed with riveting and red and white stitching in places which compliments nicely with detailing on the dial.
Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic - Credit Junghans
For the dial of the Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic Navy Blue watch, the German watchmaker takes a step back from their typically clean and minimalistic aesthetic and adds in several unconventionally styled complications, large numerals and thick sword-shaped hands. The white Arabic numerals and matching minutes track is slightly raised and generously adorned in glow in the dark lume for easy legibility.
The minute markers at 3 and 9 o’clock are also subtly detailed with red stripes to match the red hand on the recessed black small seconds counter and the markings on the curved date window at 12 o’clock. The central hour and minutes hands are equally luminous and span a beautiful dark blue gradient dial which turns black at the very edges. Hiding inside the Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic Navy Blue watch is the self-winding calibre J880.1.6 which takes its base from the ETA 7750 and delivers 25 jewels, a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 38 hours.
Conclusion
Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic - Credit Guest Author
After wearing the Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic Navy Blue watch on my wrist for a few days, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s a large watch for me, that’s for sure, but it felt comfortable and not too out of place on my feminine wrist. I did have several of my male friends try it on too and understandably for a watch of this size, it looks much better on larger wrists.
I’m not one to typically wear pilot’s watches either, but I’ve definitely warmed to the design over these last few days. Do I prefer their minimalistic Max Bill and Meister Automatic watches? Yes. But this experience has definitely opened up my eyes to trying out new genres of timepiece. If you’re someone who appreciates sporty pilot’s watches, but you want something a little out of the ordinary, a highly recommend nipping in to your nearest Junghans retailer and taking a look at their Meister Pilot collection.
Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic - Credit Guest Author
Specs
- Case Diameter: 43.3mm
- Case Height: 12.5mm
- Case Material: Black DLC coated stainless steel
- Bezel: Bi-directional, 12-notches with 60 minute scale
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Crown: Non-screw down
- Case Back: 7 screws with aircraft decoration
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Dial: Gradient navy blue with luminous hands, numerals and markers, black small seconds, curved date window
- Strap: Navy blue leather with rivets, red and white stitching, black DLC buckle
- Movement: Calibre J880.1.6, automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Jewels: 25
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Reference: 27/4397.00
- RRP: £1,990
