Junghans Updates the Popular Pilot Chronoscope

In the mid-1950s, Junghans produced watches for the newly established German army following World War II. The pilot chronographs had rotating timing bezels and specifically the Bundeswehr (German armed forces) chronograph has become a bit of a legend, serving as the inspiration for two new Pilot Chronoscope models. They’re variants of the exisitng Meister Pilot Chronoscope with new dial colours and case finishes. Of course, watches like these can be worn for many occasions today and will more likely be seen in a passenger cabin than on a fighter pilot’s wrist.  

The stainless steel case comes in two finishes, polished or satin, with the former being unusual for pilot’s watches. However, some army-issued Junghans chronographs in the 1950s had polished bezels, which many troops preferred. So, there’s a bit of a precedence here. A narrow, bidirectional rotating bezel with a 60-minute scale has twelve finger-friendly notches for operating with gloves and can be used for timing events, while piston pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock operate the chronograph. With a water resistance rating of 100 metres, it can also assist with light diving. Dimensions are substantial at 43.3mm in diameter and 14.4mm in height, but the resulting legibility is ideal for military applications. A domed AR sapphire crystal protects the dial and a solid case back is secured via seven screws. 

The domed dial comes in two matte gradient colours, grey and green, and a bi-compax chronograph layout with small seconds at 3 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 9 o’clock. The grey dial has the polished case, while the green comes with a satin finish, and both have recessed black sub-dials with white Arabic numerals. The grey dial features beige lume on the hands and beige Arabic hour numerals, while the green dial has white Arabic numerals and lume. Interestingly, the sub-dial hands are beige on the green dial and white on the grey dial. They have vintage Junghans typography for the logo, which ironically predates the Bundeswehr Chronograph of the 1950s. Strap options include dark green/black leather with rivets for the green dial and brown/black leather with rivets for the grey dial, and both have steel pin buckles. 

Powering the Junghans Pilot Chronoscope is the proven J880.3 calibre, based on the ETA 2892 with a Dubois Depraz 2030 chronograph module. It beats at 28,800vph (4Hz) and comes with a 42-hour power reserve. Functions include central hours, minutes and chronograph seconds, small seconds and 30-minute counter. 

The Junghans Pilot Chronoscope retails for EUR 2,590 for the grey dial and EUR 2,490 for the green dial, and both prices include taxes.

For more information and to place an order, please visit Junghan’s website.