Junghans Max Bill Automatic Watch Review
Tuesday - 06 October 2015
by Angus Davies, www.escapementmagazine.com
In 1956, Max Bill, an architect, artist and product designer, penned dial designs for Junghan’s kitchen clocks. They were characterised by clean, minimalist, highly legible displays. Indeed, it was these particular traits that saw Max Bill design his first wristwatches in 1961. These models were subsequently reintroduced by Junghans in 1997.
While Max Bill was Swiss, Junghans is most definitely a German company. It crafts fine watches in Schramberg, in the heart of the picturesque Black Forest. Max Bill was a disciple of the Bauhaus design philosophy of ‘form following function’, conceived by German architect Walter Gropius (1883–1969).
Junghans released several new models at Baselworld this year, including a gorgeous new version of the Max Bill Automatic, equipped with a matt silver dial. The steel case measures a restrained 38mm in diameter and will appeal to those gentleman who seek understated elegance.
The restricted inventory of functions, namely hours, minutes and central seconds emphasises the minimalist approach taken by Junghans. The result is a sublime crispness to the appearance and a succinct depiction of time.
German watches often provide incredible value for money when contrasted with some of the watches produced by neighbouring Switzerland and this is probably due to the lower wage costs and the currently weak Euro. The Junghans Max Bill Automatic has a recommended retail price of £725.00 (RRP as at 24.7.2015) and at this level it represents incredible value for money.
