ReviewJunghans Meister Chronoscope: Modern Mechanics, Vintage Appeal

It was in 1861 that Junghans was founded in southwestern Germany. It wasn’t just synonymous with watchmaking back then, but even architecture and industry. Within a few decades, the company had grown by leaps and bounds, and by 1903, lo and behold, it had become the largest clock manufacturer in the world.

The company introduced the Meister watches in the 1930s. When 1961 rolled around, the company was already celebrating its centenary. And a celebration it truly was—6,000 employees working meticulously on 10,000 machines manufacturing 20,000 clocks that were exported to 100 countries. Legacy, check (they even have a museum for clocks’ sake). Amplitude, check (did you see those numbers?). Still thriving today … triple check!

Robust movements and efficient design are the hallmarks of Junghans' timepieces, which can especially be seen in the Meister Chronoscope

Circling back to the 1930s, that’s when the Meister Chronoscope was introduced—1936, to be precise. It became the centrepiece of the Junghans Meister series. The design was further refined in the 1960s. And even though it’s been close to a century since its introduction, this classic watch is still being produced and bought by watch enthusiasts all over the world. So what is it that makes the Junghans Meister Chronoscope such a popular and iconic timepiece still?

Let’s start with what makes this watch tick, literally. Powered by the self-winding J880.1 calibre, which is quite a reliable movement, the Meister Chronoscope offers a power reserve of 48 hours, when the chronograph function is not being used.

Despite having three sub-dials, the neat design of the Junghans Meister Chronoscope wins admirers

₹1,93,500

Check Our Selling Price

The Junghans logo has been etched into the crown of the watch—an elegant touch

₹1,93,500

Check Our Selling Price

As its name suggests, this is a chronoscope (essentially a chronograph) watch with sub-dials—there’s a 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock, a 12-hour counter at six o’clock, and the seconds at nine o’clock. However, even with these three sub-dials featured prominently on the watch’s dial, along with a legible day-date display at three o’clock, the dial does not look busy. On the contrary, the watch still manages to look clean and functional. The absence of Arabic numerals and the use of the arrow hour and minute hands—either in silver or gold, with Super-LumiNova coating—add to the neat look of the Meister Chronoscope’s dial.

The white dial with silver hands and indexes contrasts well with the dark brown horse leather strap of the watch

₹2,24,000

Check Our Selling Price

The movement can be appreciated through the clear caseback

₹2,24,000

Check Our Selling Price

Look dapper in any outfit when you don the watch

₹2,24,000

Check Our Selling Price

01

The 40.7mm watches in the series come in stainless steel cases, and are also available in an eye-catching gold PVD coating. At a thickness of 13.9mm, the case sits comfortably on your wrist. The dial is covered with hard, convex Plexiglas, with a coating for enhanced scratch resistance. Although the glass is not as scratch-resistant as sapphire crystal, it is definitely more durable. The Plexiglas also gives these watches a classic, antiquated look that watch connoisseurs usually love.

Fashioned with either a stainless steel bracelet, a black leather or a dark brown leather strap, these Junghans timepieces are versatile enough that you can pair them with a formal or a casual look. Understated and elegant, the watches in the Junghans Meister Chronoscope collection have that kind of vintage appeal that never goes out of style.