« A Chic Max Bill Watch with Bauhaus Charm »
With the new Max Bill Small Automatic, Junghans brings back the slender case diameter of the very first Max Bill from 1961. Measuring a compact 34 millimeters, it replaces the hand-wound movement of its historical predecessor with an automatic caliber and is fully up to date with sapphire crystal and a date display. Four newcomers are available, giving their predominantly female target audience the choice between stainless steel and a gold-tone PVD coating.
Once the Standard, Now the Exception: Slim Men's Watches
Much as German history is divided into the eras before and after 1945, Junghans' corporate history can be split into a period before and after 1961. That year, the Schramberg watch brand began its collaboration with the Swiss architect and artist Max Bill, whose eponymous Bauhaus collection catapulted the tradition-conscious manufacturer into the modern age almost overnight. The first generation is a child of its time, as its dimensions demonstrate alongside its revolutionary minimalism: a diameter of 34 millimeters was the standard for refined men's watches back then, a consequence of the fact that timepieces of the early and mid-20th century were built around their movements. Because many calibers of that era, such as the in-house 84/S3, span 12 lignes (27 millimeters), the movement holder ring and case walls typically produce an overall diameter of 32 to 36 millimeters.
Today, you have to look much harder to find mechanical men's models in this range. Although the trend toward monstrous watches beyond 45 millimeters is over, the average modern release sits at around 40 millimeters – noticeably larger than the proportions of the sixties. The new Junghans Small Automatic sets out to prove that this development has done nothing to diminish the appeal of compact companions, defying 21st-century expectations with a faithful 34 millimeters.
A Unisex Collection with a Familiar Design
In practice, the Small Automatic can be expected to be worn far more often by women than by nostalgically minded men – after all, it fits perfectly into the modern size range of women's collections. On the wrist, both sexes will appreciate the comfortable fit of the stainless steel case, whose oval silhouette is identical to that of its larger sister models and is topped as standard by a domed sapphire crystal. The elegant timepiece is 10 millimeters thick, allowing it to slip effortlessly under any cuff. Instead of a display window, the back features a solid caseback secured by four screws. That sounds extremely robust on paper, but it doesn't take the Junghans Small Automatic beyond the familiar 30 meters of water resistance.
Four References with Two Different Dials
The latest launch from February 2021 comprises four variants, all featuring luminous hour and minute hands as well as luminous dots at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock (the latter doubled). As expected, nothing changes in the minimalist design, which is accentuated by wafer-thin hands and gains additional practicality thanks to a discreet date window next to the 3. Two designs are available: while references 27/4105.02 and 27/4106.46 rely on thin lines as indices, Ref. 27/4107.02 and 27/7108.02 feature Arabic numerals in the center and an outer minute track in the same typeface. The latter design lends the Junghans Small Automatic greater complexity and softens the pared-back character of its design.
Three of the four editions have a matte silver-plated dial that contributes to the timepiece's classic, timeless personality. If there is one unisex collection that will effortlessly outlast every fashion trend of the coming decades, it's the Max Bill Small Automatic. Its predecessors with white dials and simple leather or fabric straps have been proving this for years with playful ease and fitting elegance. Just think of the classic Bauhaus watches with reference 027/4006.02 or 027/4004.04, and it becomes especially obvious. Feminine elegance is underscored by the 027/7006.02 Max Bill women's watch with small automatic. References 027/4005.02 and 027/4005.04 on dark green NATO straps promise pure vintage feeling.
A Different Strap for Every Version
The Small Automatic offers maximum variety in its range of straps and bracelets, with a different option for each reference. If you like things traditional and enjoy being reminded of the early models from the 1960s, go for the 27/4105.02 on a black or the 27/4107.02 on a beige calfskin strap. Both variants support the minimalist aesthetic of the Junghans Small Automatic with a simple pin buckle and feature visible stitching. Not so the soft-gold 27/7108.02: its smooth leather strap (also with a pin buckle) looks distinctly more modern and pairs exceptionally well with the light gray dial. The biggest departure from the historical original is the stainless steel Milanese bracelet of the 27/4106.46, which quite literally gives the delicate Junghans Small Automatic a cooler character on the wrist.
More Everyday Convenience with Self-Winding
The new series reveals its most important difference from the likewise 34-millimeter Max Bill Hand-Wound on the inside, where the automatic caliber J800.1 (based on the ETA 2824 or Sellita SW 200) replaces the manual J805.1. With 38 hours, it offers four hours less power reserve than the hand-wound alternative, but in return spares its owner the daily chore of winding. Sure, for many enthusiasts winding is a pleasure rather than a duty, but a broad group of customers prefers the practical advantages of a winding rotor.
Is it a shame that the Junghans Small Automatic doesn't show off its inner beauty through a display window? No – the plain metal caseback suits the minimalist style of the collection perfectly and, thanks to the added weight, increases its perceived quality on the wrist. If you appreciate these merits and are looking for a compact Max Bill with high-quality features, the Small Automatic is available at manufacturer's prices ranging from €1,065 (Ref. 27/4105.02 and 27/4107.02) to €1,165 (Ref. 27/7108.02 and 27/4106.46).
