Some specs:
38mm brass plated case
Junghans J88 manual wind movement
Issued for German Bundeswehr
1950’s
Our opinion:
A little bit of history first.
The German military had a really good taste when it came to watches. Companies like Tutima, Orfina Porsche Design, Sinn and Heuer of course were all among the brands chosen to provide them with watches.
The post-war period allowed for a fresh start for brands like Hanhart, Stowa and Junghans who had a bitter-sweet history after their involvement with the war. After the Wermacht was abolished in 1946 Germany had no military left. However due to rising tension between the west and the Soviet Union in what became the Cold War it became necessary for Germany to establish a new army. 9 years after dismembering the last of its armed forces, the Bundeswehr came to existence again in West Germany. Junghans was the second company to provide watches for the newly assembled German army.
The Junghans Bundeswehr models had brass cases with chrome-plating. This gives a grey titanium-like look to the watch but also ages badly with the brass eventually showing under deep scratches. The size is 38mm, which is big enough to be contemporary even nowadays. In the center of the back you can read the following: “Bundeseigentum 12-124-8591” meaning “National property” followed by the model classification number.
In 1946, watchmakers at Junghans already started work on what later became caliber J88. This was the movement Junghans used in their project watch for submission when the Bundeswehr was searching for a timepiece. Junghans produced the J88 from 1950 until the mid-60’s (1964 or 1965) and it was first built into the Bundeswehr watches but later made available for the public in other civilian chronographs. To say that the caliber J88 is a piece of art would be an understatement. It is a shock-proof 19 jewel gold plated werk (German for ‘movement’) with Breguet springs and column wheel of course. The power reserve is 40+ hours.
Throughout the years there have been a few different dial variations mostly concerning the logo. Sometimes only the brand name was on the dial, other times the typical Junghans star logo too. This example is one of the earliest versions with only the name below the 12 o’clock. As with all Junghans Bundeswehr watches the dial has all numbers visible with thick radium coating. The large luminescent numbers on a black dial are usually the characteristics of most military watches and the Junghans Bundeswehr is no exception. Although as you may have noticed this dial turned a deep brown which is very uncommon on these watches, what is known among watch collectors as a tropical dial. The numerals are still very good and retaining the original Tritium and the outer index ring is still bright white as all the markings on the dial and sub dials. Really a very unique dial.
Case shows some wear as would be expected, movement is super clean and running very well.
As with most military watches this one is a history filled piece and very unique in many ways. Definitely one to have in any collection as it still wears very well, looks great and it’s powered by a really good movement.
