106th Auction
2022/5/21
Lot 229
Junghans
An impressive set of 3 demonstration models of famous Junghans calibres: Cal. J89 of the wristwatch alarm Minivox from the 1950s, the chronograph calibre J88, which was also produced in the early 1950s, and the calibre J80 from the 1930s, one of the first in-house wristwatch movements. The diameter of the Plexiglas discs is about 17 cm and show off these Junghans milestones to their best optical advantage
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Along with Hanhart (cal. 301/302), Junghans with its calibre J89 was one of two German manufacturers of alarm wristwatches in the early 1950s. The Junghans calibre 89 has only one large mainspring barrel for the movement and the alarm clock; the owner therefore had to wind the spring again after setting off the alarm.
In 1950, the Deutsche Uhrmacherzeitschrift wrote about the "new Junghans wristwatch chronograph", calibre J88: "The new Junghans chronograph, which now appears on the watch market as the first chronograph of normal size manufactured in Germany, is to be described as a pleasing proof of the high level that German wristwatch manufacturing has reached again after overcoming the post-war hardships. [...] All 225 components of the chronograph are manufactured in 2229 operations at Junghans itself, including the mainsprings."
Calibre J80 was built by Junghans from the early 1930s until the 1950s and in many variations: The number of jewels varied from 7 to 22, the initially split wheelwork bridge was later made in one piece - as here - and the balance was fitted with a shock protection. In the end, there were even automatic movements with a power reserve indicator based on calibre 80.