Junghans watch factory – FORM & MEISTER DRIVER

Hardly any other company stands for quality in watches like Junghans. We visit the watch manufacturer with tradition at Inhorgenta 2017 and are shown the latest models. Classic watches with a stylish design. Uhrenfabrik Junghans was nominated for the Inhorgenta Award "Watch Design of the Year" - and won. Find out more in the video!

Junghans watch factory - Watch Museum

Jürgen Groh: Mr. Stotz, I can see an absolute classic in the automotive sector in the background. What is that? Matthias Stotz: It's a Mercedes 500K from 1935 and we've continued the tradition. Last year we were here with a Maybach Zeppelin and of course you have to bring something new every year. Jürgen Groh: Does that mean that Junghans will continue to make classic watches? Matthias Stotz: Of course. Junghans certainly stands for the traditional and the classic watch. We have two lines that we are presenting this time. One is the Meister Driver, which has been expanded, and the FORM A and C are two very classic but modern watches. Jürgen Groh: I can see a huge picture on the wall in the background, a building. What is it all about?

Matthias Stotz: This is our 9-storey terraced building built in 1917/18 by Philipp Jakob Manz. This building was the heart of Junghans' mechanical watch production in the 1950s and 1960s. The building is currently being renovated and converted into a watch museum in collaboration with Professor Uwe Brückner from Stuttgart, one of the world's leading museum planners, and is expected to open at the end of the year or early next year. Jürgen Groh: This will certainly be a tourist highlight in the Black Forest? Matthias Stotz: We are expecting 25,000 - 30,000 visitors per year. Jürgen Groh: Now I want to see the watches you have with you.

Junghans - New design line FORM

Matthias Stotz: On the one hand, we see a new line. The line is called FORM. From the top, the watch has a very stringent and clear design. As soon as you turn it on its side, you can see the two-tone strap and the classic design of the watch, it is very ergonomic. A classic model as designed by Junghans. And to discover on the back you can see the movement hidden behind a smoked glass. There are many other aspects to discover on the front. A concave dial embossed in minute squares. A watch with a lot of depth and design aspects at a very good price/performance ratio.

Jürgen Groh: Price/performance ratio, what do I have to spend on this watch? Matthias Stotz: You have to spend €840 for the watch in the shops and that is certainly very good value for money. Jürgen Groh: Especially if it lasts a lifetime! Matthias Stotz: I assume so! Jürgen Groh: I can already see the next model. What is it? Matthias Stotz: It's a Meister Driver Day Date. A watch that displays the day of the week and the date. The watch has a special feature. The arrangement at 12 o'clock for the day of the week and at 6 o'clock for the date. Here we take our cue from the classic tachometers. With daily mileage and total mileage display. That's why we have this position, because when we make watches that are connected to the automobile, it naturally has to be reflected in the design. Jürgen Groh: Do you also have watches that are connected to a smartphone, a big trend here? Matthias Stotz: No, we don't have that. We still have a wide technological range, we have quartz watches, solar watches, radio-controlled watches, multi-frequency radio-controlled watches. We are even working on a new generation at the moment. But you won't believe it, you can even connect a radio-controlled watch to your phone! Jürgen Groh: Really? Matthias Stotz: Yes, there are apps that you can use to synchronize your time signal, that's already available today and you'll be hearing from us soon. Jürgen Groh: So the lady has a man's watch in her hand.

Meister Driver watch from Junghans

Anne-Katrin Strömer: The Meister Driver perfectly reflects Junghans' passion for the automobile. Jürgen Groh: The watch with a connection to the automobile. Anne-Katrin Strömer: Exactly, that is Junghans' passion for the automobile from a historical perspective. But also the passion of our current owner, who has a large car collection. We are presenting the Meister Day Date, which you are holding in your hand right now, for the first time at Inhorgenta. Here you can see beautiful semi-transparent displays that not only show today's date, but also yesterday's and tomorrow's date.

Jürgen Groh: You set it for my birthday, I think that's very nice. Matthias Stotz: It looks great on you. Jürgen Groh: How much do I have to spend on it? Anne-Katrin Strömer: €1,390. Jürgen Groh: Watches - where is the journey going? What models can we expect in 5 years' time? Matthias Stotz: I am quite sure that we will still be stocking our design classics such as the Max Bill in 5 years' time. I am also quite sure that we will still have the Meister line. But what will certainly change is that we will have a third line, the FORM, and this will take over further technologies in our company. Clear design, stringent, easy to wear, ergonomic - that will continue to be the measure of all things for Junghans. Jürgen Groh: I hate to give the watch back, but maybe it will come to me on my birthday. Matthias Stotz: I would be delighted if it found its way to your arm.

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