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Junghans Bundeswehr German Air Force Chronograph J88

Regular price £4,900.00

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The Watch
 
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In the aftermath of WW2, Germany deconstructed its military, but due to the Cold War split between Eastern and Western Germany, the Bundeswehr was re-established in West Germany in the 1950s. The most well known German watchmakers from Glashütte were located in East Germany, so when the Bundeshwehr was recreated in West Germany, it had to find a new watch supplier cue Junghans. Based out of the Black Forest, Junghans was able to meet the demand with a new chronograph featuring the company's in-house, column wheel-equipped J88 chronograph movement. 
The Watches featured the Iconic J88 Movement, this manually wound movement was designed to be exceptionally shockproof for its era,19 jewels, and features a Breguet hairspring and a column wheel Chronograph. They also boasted a 12-sided bidirectionally rotating bezel, a glossy black dial with syringe hands, and a 38mm diameter case. Instead of a case made entirely of steel, they featured a brass case design that was plated and fitted with a screw-in steel caseback. 
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Today's example dates from December 1960, we know this due to a mixture of the serial number and the caseback markings. “Bundeseigentum 12-124-8591” meaning “National property” is found on this example. The older versions had a different number (12-120-9351) and with this you can clearly distinguish which version you are holding in your hands.

 

The Specs


Age: December 1960.
Serial: L0842.
Movement: Manual wind with 30 minute Column Wheel Chronograph.
Calibre: J88.
Timekeeping: Good.
Service History: Unknown, fully inspected by our Watchmaker, November 2024.
Dial: Original Junghans Military Specification Dial.
Case: Plated Brass.
Measurements: 38mm.
Bezel: Bi-Directional.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original Syringe Hands.
Crystal: Original Crystal.
Crown/Pushers: Correct Original unsigned Crown and Original Pushers.
Strap/Bracelet: On a New 18mm "Bund" Style Strap.
Lug Width: 19mm. Spring Bars.


Getting Acquainted

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Bits that stand out:
- Issued to a German Air Force pilot, can you get any cooler?
- Glossy Black Dial.
- Column Wheel Chronograph Movement.
- 38mm Case.
-Amazing Pumpkin Lume.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Natural age related wear to the Case plating, Pushers and Bezel.
-Small nibble to one of the lugs.
-Scratches to Crystal.
-Small paint loss to the end of the minute hand.

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Overall this German Pilot is in nice Vintage condition.
The Dial is in very good condition, probably the best example we have seen on the market.
Case is in good, honest worn condition.
Caseback markings are in good order.
Original Crown and Pushers.
Original Crystal in good shape, with some age related scratches.
Hands are in lovely shape, with a small bit of paint loss to the end of the minute hand.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.