Junghans is a German watch brand with a rich history that dates back to 1861. It was founded in the town of Schramberg by Erhard Junghans and his brother-in-law, Jakob Zeller-Tobler. The two partners started out by producing components for clocks, but soon expanded their operations to include the manufacture of complete clocks.
In 1866, Junghans created the first German-made wristwatch. This was a significant milestone in the history of watchmaking, as until that time, wristwatches were considered a novelty and were not widely produced. Junghans continued to innovate in the following years, and by the end of the 19th century, the company was producing more than three million watches per year.
In 1903, Junghans introduced a new type of watch movement called the “Form” movement. This movement was notable for its compact size and high level of accuracy, and it quickly became popular among watchmakers worldwide.
During the First World War, Junghans produced watches for the German military, and in the years that followed, the company continued to expand its range of products. In the 1920s and 1930s, Junghans introduced a number of new watch designs, including the “Mega 1” wristwatch, which was notable for its accuracy and reliability.
During the Second World War, Junghans, like many German companies, was forced to devote most of its resources to the war effort. After the war, the company resumed production of watches and clocks, and in the postwar years, it introduced a number of new designs, including the popular “Max Bill” series of watches, which were created in collaboration with the Swiss artist and designer Max Bill.
In the decades that followed, Junghans continued to innovate, introducing new technologies and designs. In 1985, the company introduced the first radio-controlled wristwatch, which was able to synchronize with the atomic clocks in Germany and Japan. This innovation helped to establish Junghans as a leader in the field of high-precision timekeeping.
Today, Junghans continues to produce high-quality watches that are renowned for their precision, reliability, and innovative designs. The company’s watches are sold in more than 100 countries worldwide, and Junghans remains one of the most respected and admired watch brands in the world.