ReviewJunghans Meister Fein Automatic—The New, Gilded Edition And Others

Junghans’s watches are known for their minimalism and their refinement. Like a lot of better-known German watch manufacturers, they follow the principle of form following function—the backbone of the erstwhile Bauhaus school of design, which continues to inspire decades after it closed. Over 160 years after their inception, Junghans themselves continue to exemplify sophistication with nuanced detailing that lends a je-ne-sais-quoi quality to their timepieces. Their collection that best represents these qualities is the Meister Fein line. Literally translating from German to ‘master fine’, the name of the watches could not have been more apt. Presenting clean lines and smooth silhouettes, these timepieces are also quite sound on the performance front.

The Meister line originated over a century ago and has been the heart and soul of Junghans for a good part of the brand’s existence. These timepieces have exemplified the archetype of a classical dress watch, with the elegance that such pieces are known for. However, the quality of performance has continued to evolve with advancements in technology relevant to mechanical watchmaking. The latest generations of the Meister Fein live up to these standards, even as they showcase contemporary aesthetics, which somehow remain true to timeless design codes.

The Latest Meister Fein Automatic—Now Gilded

When it comes to dress watches that have a classical appeal, there’s no doubt that the warmth of gold stands a class apart. And it’s almost imperative for a collection of classical watches to include a golden edition. However, this was missing from the modern-day Meister Fein series, until now. This year, the brand introduced the latest Meister Fein, bathed in gold, with its steel case featuring a gold PVD (physical vapour deposition) treatment. The watch is as elegant as it is resplendent in its gilded form. It exudes purity with its visual appearance, while presenting layers with its physical construction. Seamless as it all is, the structure presents a smooth, extremely narrow bezel that frames a spherically domed sapphire crystal glass that gives the timepiece amazing visual depth.

This year, the brand introduced the latest Meister Fein, bathed in gold, with its steel case featuring a gold PVD treatment. The watch is as elegant as it is resplendent in its gilded form

It exudes purity with its visual appearance, while presenting layers with its physical construction

Junghans Meister

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Golden Elements On The Pristine White Dial

The visual depth lent by the domed glass provides an enhanced appearance of all the intricacies—the most prominent one being the domed dial itself. On this pristine, white dial are the elongated hour markers, which are characteristic of the Meister Fein collection. Echoing these straight lines are the refined, golden-coloured baton-shaped hands that complement the hues of the case perfectly. Completing the functional elements of the dial is the date window at three o’clock, very neatly placed, with smoothly curved framing.

The visual depth lent by the domed glass provides an enhanced appearance of all the intricacies—the most prominent one being the domed dial itself, and then the elongated hour markers

Echoing these straight lines are the refined, golden-coloured baton-shaped hands that complement the hues of the case perfectly

An Automatic Calibre, Decorated To Perfection

When flip the watch around, you’ll see depth and detail in its mechanism as well. The automatic movement that runs this watch—the calibre J800.1, offering a 38-hour power reserve—can be seen through an exhibition caseback, with all its subtle decoration. There is rhodium plating, while the oscillating mass features striped finishing, and an engraving of the brand’s emblem. Meanwhile the barrel, the train, was well as the balance wheel bridge showcase brilliant diamond finishing. And lending the final touch are the blued screws.

When flip the watch around, you’ll see depth and detail in its mechanism as well—the automatic movement that runs this watch—the calibre J800.1, offering a 38-hour power reserve

Completing the functional elements of the dial is the date window at three o’clock, very neatly placed, with smoothly curved framing

Seen here is the plain steel version with a leather strap in dark chocolate

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Junghans Meister Fein EXPLORE THE COLLECTION

Other Meister Fein Automatics—Junghans’s Classical Best In Plain Steel

The immediate predecessors to the new golden Meiser Fein were last year’s versions. Intended as an edition to mark 160 years of the brand’s foundation, they have a distinctive appeal that is just as timeless as any classic. In plain steel these watches have a dial in silvery white, a matt silver hue or a galvanic black, featuring a sunray finish. These editions also come with baton-shaped hands and elongated hour markers, which happen to curve down towards their tips—another feature that enhances the domed shape of the dial and the glass. These watches are also powered by the automatic calibre J800.1, which is based on the ETA calibre 2824-2.

The immediate predecessors to the new golden Meiser Fein were last year’s versions. One of them is this one with a black dial

₹1,39,000

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Intended as an edition to mark 160 years of the brand’s foundation, they have a distinctive appeal that is just as timeless as any classic

₹1,39,000

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In plain steel these watches have a dial in silvery white, a matt silver hue or a galvanic black, featuring a sunray finish (seen here)

₹1,39,000

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The Junghans Meister Fein has a very sleek profile, but the case has a very distinctive bowl shape, with a domed top, owing to the spherically domed sapphire crystal glass

₹1,39,000

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A Favourable Size And With Luxurious Strap Options

The size of all the Meister Fein watches is a very agreeable 39.5mm, which suits most wrist sizes—gender no bar. Most of these watches come with a plain leather strap that is soft and seamless, literally. Cushioned towards the centre, these leather straps take forward the dimensionality of the case as a whole. The soft leather strap is in black with the golden version, in brown paired with the black dial, and in a darker brown with the white dial housed in plain steel. The silver-hued dial, on the other hand, comes with a mesh bracelet, also in steel. This very trendy Milanese bracelet enhances the overall appeal of the watch, giving it a perfect monochromatic look, which is another raging trend these days.

The silver-hued dial, on the other hand, comes with a mesh bracelet, also in steel

This very trendy Milanese bracelet enhances the overall appeal of the watch, giving it a perfect monochromatic look, which is another raging trend these days

Junghans Meister

₹1,49,000

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With a gold-plated edition, the Meister Fein series seems rather complete. One wonders how Junghans might expand the collection beyond this. One thing is clear, they won’t stray too far away from the minimalism it exemplifies. And why should they! With clear functionality, an extremely appealing appearance and refined details, there’s no reason to change or modify something that’s already so perfect.