ReviewThe Junghans Max Bill Collection—Sheer Minimalism For Maximum Impact

Trends come and they gradually wane, only to make way for others. The ones that survive the test of time transcend being trends and become classics. The timepieces by Junghans have the same repute attached to them. A lot of brands are influenced by the Bauhaus school of art, from following the school’s overall design philosophy to more direct inspirations seen in products. However, few can boast of the proximity that Junghans shares with the German art school, especially owing to their long-term association with Bauhaus pupil Max Bill, which has led to the creation of many iconic wristwatches and wall clocks—an important ongoing arc in the watchmaker’s story. Here, we take a closer look at the sublime collection that continues to celebrate the designer-brand relationship.

The Man, The Maverick

There were very few things Max Bill wasn’t. He was an architect, artist, painter, sculptor, industrial designer, graphic designer, teacher and even a politician. Bill arrived at Bauhaus, in Dessau, from Switzerland, in 1927 and it didn’t take him long to establish himself as one of its greatest alumni. He also co-founded the Ulm School of Design. A well-known proponent of concrete art, Bill was the recipient of the Sir Misha Black Medal in 1982. The medal is awarded to individuals for their significant contribution to design education. His progressive artworks had a substantial impact on the art movements taking place all over, from Europe to Latin America. He passed away in 1994 and left behind an astonishing legacy of artworks that will continue to inspire artists to experiment without inhibition.

A Purist’s Dream

Junghans firmly believes in celebrating its rich history, and the Max Bill collection is an ode to the designs of the Swiss polymath. In 1961, Max Bill created a new watch line for Junghans and all the subsequent versions have been restrained interpretations of the original design. They are quite recognisable because of their Bauhaus styling with each element having a specific purpose. To simplify Junghans’ philosophy about this collection, let’s just say—anything that doesn’t need to be there, is not there. The design has been gifted the required space enabling it to bring its full effect to bear. This collection is a fine example of why German watches are hailed for their clarity, accuracy and reliability. The minimalistic elements enhance the purist design of the timepieces conferring it maximum attention. The sophisticated dials, the narrow bezels, balanced contours of the timepieces and the other subtle touches reflect modernity even while paying tribute to the brand’s historical association with the eminent artist who placed great emphasis on the combination of utilitarian value and aesthetics.

The timepieces with three hands, clean lines and slender profiles are in tune with the motto ‘form follows function’ and look good on all kinds of wrists

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There are quite a few ladies' options as well in the collection

Junghans Max Bill Shop the Collection

Diversity In Design

All the timepieces in the collection present the visual appeal of minimalism. They all share the watchmaker’s commitment towards making timepieces that rate high on precision, inventive design, traditional workmanship and cutting-edge technology. Although unified by common traits, the range offers sufficient variety. From dials to complications, each watch has the nuances that set it apart from others in the Max Bill family. Whether with mechanical or with quartz movements, the watches exhibit a remarkable sharpness in contrasts, especially when playing with blacks and whites. The timepieces with three hands, clean lines and slender profiles are in tune with the motto ‘form follows function’ and look good on all kinds of wrists. Arabic numeral markers in some editions make a distinctive appearance, while those with slim, elongated hour indexes have a more sleek appeal. There are quite a few ladies’ options as well. In straps, there are leather, calfskin and steel among the mix, in various hues.

Here, it becomes crucial to mention that in 2018, the Max Bill Automatic became a Red Dot Award recipient and the jury lauded its historical charm and high functionality. The same year, a limited Max Bill edition, displaying artwork by the artist on the casebacks of both the mechanical wristwatch and the special edition table clock was unveiled. The artwork—Sicherheit (security) from his famous grafische reihen (or ‘graphic series’)—depicts four different triangles, each forming a square. When the watch brand commemorated the Bauhaus school’s 100 years with a limited edition elegant timepiece—the Junghans Max Bill 100 Years Bauhaus, the school’s building with its distinctive red door was depicted on the caseback, with the building’s windows revealing the movement within.

The Philosophy Lives On

The Junghans Max Bill timepieces set a template for how to beautifully blend traditional workmanship with state-of-the-art technology. They have mastered the art of producing high-quality watches with an emphasis on both optics and values. The Max Bill collection especially has a gripping story to tell about an artist, who was in many ways ahead of his time, and his association with the German watch brand. Looking at this line, one wonders if there could have been a better tribute to the artist extraordinaire, who referred to works of art as ‘objects for intellectual use’ and promoted the harmony of art and utility in objects.

The minimalistic elements enhance the purist design of the timepieces conferring it maximum attention

This collection is a fine example of why German watches are hailed for their clarity, accuracy and reliability

They are quite recognisable because of their Bauhaus styling with each element having a specific purpose

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