Junghans Max Bill Automatic

Bauhaus designs were meant to be minimalist, utilitarian, handsome and affordable — just like this watch.

Celebrated industrial designer Max Bill was an original Bauhaus protegé, having studied there in the 1930s. He began designing wall clocks for German watchmaker Junghans in 1957 — designs that were so fetching in their minimalism and utility, that they easily made the transfer to wristwatches just a few years later. Today, Junghans offers a wide range of Max Bill timepieces powered by different types of movement, from automatic to hand-wound to radio-controlled. 

This particular watch is a Reference 27.3401 powered by the automatic-winding workhorse ETA 2824-2 movement. With a 38mm stainless steel case, a gorgeous grey dial with playful Arabic indices executed in glowing SuperLumi-Nova, as well a matching pencil handset, this piece perfectly embodies Bauhaus design.

Fitted to one of our Casablanca brown suede leather straps, this piece is suitable for virtually any wrist and can be dressed up for pairing with formalwear or as is for a night on the town

The Max Bill Automatic may be the perfect everyday companion, and a tough piece to beat as an entry point to mechanical watches!

Although perhaps best known for their Bauhaus-inspired timepieces, German watchmaker Junghans has a history that far predates that famed design movement.

Founded in 1861 by Erhard Junghans, the firm became, by 1903, the largest watchmaker in the world. In the 1930s the company introduced its first in-house movements in wristwatches, while in 1946 it began designing its first chronograph: Powered by the Calibre J88, a hand-wound movement with column wheel and Breguet hairspring, this pilot’s watch was awarded a contract for the newly founded Bundeswehr.

By 1951 Junghans was the largest chronometer maker in Germany, and by 1956, the third-largest globally. In 1957, it introduced its first automatic chronometer, the J83. But a true breakthrough came about in 1961, when it employed brilliant industrial designer Max Bill — who had trained at the Bauhaus in Dessau — to develop a wristwatch. This simple design would go on to form the basis of the Max Bill line, a cornerstone in the modern brand’s catalog.

By its 100th anniversary that same year, Junghans employed over 6,000 people, utilizing 10,000 machines to produce 20,000 watches every single day. These were promptly exported from its eight facilities to over 100 countries, to the tune of over three million timepieces per year.

By 1971, quartz was hitting the market, and Junghans was eager to be at the fore of this new technological revolution. It introduced the Astro-Quartz in 1971, at the princely sum of 800 marks. In 1972, Junghans timed the Munich Olympic Games via advanced electronically networked starting clocks, control system and double-light barriers.
In 1990, Junghans presented yet another breakthrough to the world: the first series-produced, radio-controlled table clock, with a deviation of one second per million years. A year later, just in time for the firm’s 125th anniversary, they released the RCS1, the first radio-controlled watch powered by solar technology.
Today, Junghans continues to make watches and clocks of all types, continuing a 160-year old tradition of fine watchmaking and German craftsmanship.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.