Junghans has unveiled its new Meister Pilot Automatic in three variations.
The watch collection has a dial with reduced clutter for maximum legibility and a curved date window designed like an aircraft display.
Another striking feature is the rotating bezel with 12 concave recesses for extra grip, should you find yourself at the controls of a biplane in large pilot’s gloves.
Junghans has a long-established aviation history, making onboard clocks in the early 20th century when there was no other equipment on the dashboard – the clock was the only dial.
At 12 o’clock, there is a small seconds, providing what Junghans calls an “optical counterweight” to the aircraft-inspired date.
The luminous substance on the hands and numerals are luminous and stand in contrast to the dials.
These dials are lacquered with a gradient effect so that they become darker towards the edges.
Two of the new models come in satin-finished steel cases: one with a dark green dial and dark grey leather strap; the other with dark grey dial and black leather strap.
The third watch has a matte black DLC-coated steel case matched to a dark grey dial with white numbers.
Each watch comes on a riveted leather strap, colour-coordinated to the dial, and the 43.3mm case is water-resistant to 100m.
The Caliber J800.1.6 automatic movement has a power reserve of 38 hours.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Junghans was reportedly the biggest clockmaker in the world.
The company began making wristwatches in the 1920s, and using manufacturing techniques imported from the US soon enabled it to produce large numbers of high-quality watches at affordable prices.
The historical military connections are many, and Junghans also has strong links to a more peaceful feature of 20th century history, the Bauhaus movement, particularly through the watches designed by Swiss artist and architect Max Bill.
Junghans Meister Pilot Automatic from $1,990 junghans.de