Typically, I think of German watch brand Junghans as being quite a serious brand. Perhaps that’s a bit of British bias towards the stereotype of Germany’s lack of humour but in general Junghans watches are dedicated to serious artistic movements like Bauhaus. So, it’s refreshing that the brand has had a bit of fun with their latest release, a vibrant yellow edition of the FORM A Chronoscope.
What I mean by that is Junghans describe the watch as an expressive design to be “enjoyed with iced tea, lemon sherbet, or just one’s own disposition”, offering a “summery joie de vivre”. It’s a very light-hearted approach to marketing and design while the overall aesthetic remains traditionally minimalist. The 42mm, PVD steel watch has a domed, concave dial with a black base and bright yellow hour markers and hands. It makes for a striking display with a high degree of contrast between the colours, lending the piece a somewhat sporty vibe that suits the chronograph complication.
The chronograph display is arranged in a vertical tricompax format with a 30-minute timer at 12 o’clock, 12-hour timer at 6 and small seconds at 9, balanced out by a date window at 3 o’clock. Interestingly, each of the subdials and date are presented in grey against black (reminding me of the IWC Top Gun Ceratanium), meaning they are very subtle in comparison to the bold yellow accents.
Beneath the surface is the J880.1 automatic movement, a solid calibre with a 48-hour power reserve. It’s protected by a glass caseback decorated with a colour-adapted print of a work by artist Richard Macneil, which depicts Times Square. The picture of Times Square adds another dimension to the use of yellow across the watch as it also represents the iconic yellow taxi cab.
The Junghans FORM A Chronoscope is priced at £1,990 and presented on either a yellow or black leather strap. While this is a very straightforward launch – the FORM A Chronoscope has now been released in a plethora of colours – the yellow edition stands out for its bright, sporty attitude and summer appeal. You also can’t go wrong with a minimalist design paired with a dash of colour.
Price and Specs:
Richard Macneil printed under the crystal on the caseback
More details at Junghans.
