ReviewJust Like Old Times: The 1972 Competition Watch Honours The Original Junghans Olympic

For over a century and a half, the eminent German watchmaker Junghans have been offering the luxury timepiece market their trailblazing, technologically sophisticated creations. A pivotal moment in the brand’s illustrious history was their esteemed appointment as the official timekeeper for the 1972 Munich Olympic Games. The enduring partnership between Junghans and the Olympic Games inspired a series of captivating civilian timepieces. Among these creations was a stunning chronograph, dubbed the Olympic Bullhead, which took design cues from a vintage 1970s manual-winding model. After half a century since the debut of the influential timepiece that remains a coveted collectors’ item, Junghans present the 1972 Competition-a 45.5mm steel model, which is a contemporary tribute to the legacy of the beloved classic.

A Surreal Throwback: Junghans’s 1972 Competition

The launch of the new Junghans 1972 Competition limited-edition stainless steel watch comes 50 years after the release of the popular model it takes inspiration from. Vibrant in its colour and progressive in its design, the 1972 Competition chronograph features an elliptical case with pushers and a crown positioned on the top, paying homage to the striking design of its iconic predecessor. This execution, reminiscent of a hand-held stopwatch, feels bold and athletic on the wrist, along with a perforated leather strap that seamlessly becomes one with the ergonomically curved caseback.

The black strap with an orange leather lining further makes the 1972 Competition electrifying, along with a stainless steel folding clasp. Highlighting the brand’s scrupulous attention to detail, the strap has been doubly bolted to ensure a robust link. The enthralling geometric form extends to the dial design of the model as well, where the orange totalisers and dial ring with tachymeter scale follow the oval shape of the case, while the minute graduation moves circularly around the anthracite sunburst dial.

The 30-minute and second counters are aligned vertically on the 1972 Competition, staying true to the design of the original 1972 Junghans Olympic

Staying true to its historic inspiration, the 1972 Competition model features vertically aligned 30-minute and second counters. The orange 30-minute counter is at 12 o’clock and the small seconds at six o’clock. Both the sub-dials put against a grey watch face create a stunning contrast, rendering an exquisite interplay of hues that elevate the timepiece’s charm. The position of the crown and pushers at the top end of the case truly makes it a unique chronograph, which also is in line with the design of the Olympic Bullhead, as this execution brings to mind a bull’s horns. While the design exudes the ol’ charm of the 1970s, modern enhancements such as antireflective sapphire crystal on both sides, a screw-down crown, and 100m water resistance make it an up-to-the-minute sports watch.

Driven by an automatic movement, the Competition 1972 comes paired with a perforated black leather strap with an orange leather lining

The 1972 Competition’s Construction

The case, measuring 45.5mm from nine to three o’clock and 41mm from 12 to six o’clock, along with a case thickness of 14.5mm, has been brushed to augment the sporty appeal of this sturdy chronograph. The steel body also receives a steel back with an edition motif, which has been screwed four times to add to its strength. The elliptical counters are masterfully designed, while the striking orange tachymeter scale artfully thickens and widens, seamlessly embracing the case’s profile. Echoing the iconic original design, the contemporary model showcases applied indexes in squares that are treated with a white, environmentally friendly luminescent substance, along with the hands.

The sporty and spirited timepiece boasts a pristine white minute and seconds track, harmoniously paired with a central chronograph hand adorned by an enticing orange tip, ensuring precise one-fifth of a second timekeeping. The date window at the three o’clock position features a deep, dark background that effortlessly melds with the mesmerising anthracite dial, embodying sophistication and elegance in every detail. Driven by the self-winding movement J880.5, the 1972 Competition achieves a power reserve of around 48 hours. With a mere 1,972 pieces of the 1972 Competition available globally, this snazzy reference becomes a convincing fusion of rarity, prestige, playfulness, and timeless sophistication for the discerning collector.