German watchmaker Junghans adds subtle splashes of red to their Bauhaus-inspired Max Bill Chronoscope watch in their latest launch. The minimalist chronograph debuts red down the hands and on the date window, adding a nice bit of colour to the otherwise monochromatic display. Let’s take you through the new Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope Bauhaus watch…
Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope Bauhaus - Credit Junghans
I imagine we all think of the Junghans Max Bill when we think of Bauhaus design. The collection is named after the architect, painter, industrial designer and sculptor, Max Bill, who during the early 1950’s designed the inaugural Junghans Max Bill watches. These designs were, and still are, the epitome of Bauhaus design, a movement that focuses on sensibility and simplicity, where form follows function.
Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope Bauhaus - Credit Junghans
Despite being created over 70 years ago, the Junghans Max Bill watch collection still feels incredibly relevant. The minimalistic, streamlined nature of their dials is ultra-modern and the slim cases allow for effortless wearability. There are a number of Max Bill models to choose from in the series, but the Chronoscope has always been a favourite for those looking for a simple, Bauhaus-inspired chronograph.
Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope Bauhaus - Credit Junghans
For the new Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope Bauhaus watch, the brand has spiced up the otherwise plain white matte dial with touches of red on the hour and minute hands and on the date wheel. A tiny bit of red has also been added to the case back which is decorated with an image of the famous Bauhaus building. Cleverly, Junghans have also added a glass insert behind the windows of the building’s engraving giving us a slightly obstructed view of the movement inside.
Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope Bauhaus - Credit Junghans
Other than its new accents of red on the dial, the new Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope Bauhaus watches follows in the footsteps of its predecessors. The layout with the chronograph subsidiary dials at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock keeps the dial looking symmetric, further assisted by the Junghans logo placed at 9 o’clock and the date at 3 o’clock. The central hands for the hours and minutes and the dots at the four main hour markers are applied with luminous material.
Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope Bauhaus - Credit Junghans
The case is also a familiar sight, finished in stainless steel and measuring to 40mm wide and 14.4mm tall. It has a screw down case back, domed sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment and a water resistant rating of 50 metres. Through the case back, you can see part of the automatic winding J880.2 calibre which provides a 48 hour power reserve. The Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope Bauhaus watch is completed by a simple black calfskin leather strap and stainless steel pin buckle.
Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope Bauhaus - Credit Junghans
I love Junghans, but I can’t help but feel this model is a little indistinguishable to others in the collection. We’ve seen the white-dialled Chronoscope several times before, and sure the touches of red are a new addition, but it’s not quite enough for me to get a sense of anything truly fresh and different. But what do you guys think? Let us know in the comments below.
Technical Specifications:
- Brand: Junghans
- Model: Max Bill Chronoscope Bauhaus
- Price: From £2,295
- Material: Stainless steel
- Movement: J880.2 automatic winding
- Complications: Hours, minutes, stop function, 30 minute and 12-hour counters, date
- Dial: Matte white with red on hour and minute hands and date wheel
- Size: 40mm wide, 14.4mm tall
- When the reviewer would personally wear it: This is a day-to-day watch that’s easy to wear, and with it being fairly simple in its design, it would go with almost any attire.
- A friend we’d recommend it to first: A fan of Bauhaus watch design.
- Best characteristics of the watch: The small touches of red are nice.
- The worst characteristics of the watch: It feels a little samesie. I understand it’s Bauhaus-inspired which is all about minimalism, but a little more experimentation with colour wouldn’t go amiss.
