The early 1990s meant independence for my country, a greater openness towards the West (we never really were behind the Iron Curtain even before, to be honest), some more watch choice at the local shops and me being in the second decade of my life. I also remember passing a watch shop on my way from
The early 1990s meant independence for my country, a greater openness towards the West (we never really were behind the Iron Curtain even before, to be honest), some more watch choice at the local shops and me being in the second decade of my life. I also remember passing a watch shop on my way from school, which had what I considered the coolest watch possible in its display - a Junghans Mega 1. Imagine having a radio controlled watch (this was before the real return of mechanical watches and I was pre-teen
)!
From: http://www.sometimeago.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/junghans-mega-front-DSC_0223.jpg
In any case, I was drooling over it for several years and while it was not a possibility then, I continued wanting something from this - for me then - very cool company for years. Not sure how their fortunes went - I suppose they are doing alright now, with a rediscovered Max Bill line and quite some interesting entry level mechanical watches - but I somehow lost touch with the brand.
And then, decades later, I got one as a present from my father (not sure if I actually pushed for one when I was a child or thought it too extravagant to even ask). While this was before my Purist days and my first real dipping of toes into the waters of mechanical watches, it did not quite have the appeal it did all those years ago. Still, as I am on holidays now, I dug it out, took it to a watchmaker to get the battery changed and am wearing it as we speak. And while some might find the idea of a quartz watch completely heretical, I find I am enjoying it
Here is the model I got as a birthday present some years ago - The Junghans Milano. A very simple three hander, with a digital 'large date' (could even work for Nico
). Even hours are displayed with applied numerals, odd ones with applied hour markers and the minutes inbetween with square dial cut-outs.
The case is relatively slab sided but not too thick and the lugs are fairly slim. The lower part is polished, like the top of the bezel, while the upper part has a brushed finish. Unfortunately the polished parts are real scratch magnets (the amount of scratches is somewhat annoying given how little I wore the watch).
There is no crown, just two pushers. And in all honesty, I cannot tell you what they do, since I have never read the fine materials (aka owner's manual) - the watch sets itself automatically, so there was never any need to do so
Here is the logo that has been haunting me all those decaded ago.
I guess the technology must have been a real differentiator for the brand back in the day - whether it still helps them, who knows...
Given the price category, the attention to detail is pretty good. Here you see the dial cutouts in lieu of minute markers and the luminous square in in a metal surround next to the hour marker. Not quite GS material but surprisingly good for something mass produced.
The hands are fairly straight forward but they are well finished and the hour and minute hands have a lume strip, making the watch usable in the dark.
Here are the aforementioned two pushers, and the likewise mentioned scratches. Between them is a Junghans logo.
The case back is a simple pop in affair and for that the WR rating of 50m is surprisingly good. The watch also shows it's radio controlled heritage and the location of the signal.
Finally a look at the dial, which has a nice sunburst finish, albeit this is only visible under certain angles, otherwise it appears as flat black.
So what are my impressions? It is the type of watch you hardly notice on the wrist, being both light and nicely sized. It is a piece that will always awake memories of my childhood (even if this model came out decades later) and that, paired with it being a present from my family will earn the watch its place in my collection going forward. Will I wear it a lot? Probably not but even so, it is fun to do so every now and again. It may even convince my watch muggle friends that I am somehow normal
And it's predecessor was a part of my horological journey, even if never consummated, so I guess that counts for something, too.
Thanks for reading!
