Schramberg, Germany
Junghans
Partially verifiedVolume clock and watch production in the Black Forest tradition
History
Junghans industrialised Black Forest clockmaking, becoming one of the largest clock producers in the world by the early twentieth century and later adding watch calibres and precision timing work.
Erhard Junghans co-founded the firm Junghans und Tobler with Jakob Zeller-Tobler in Schramberg in 1861, before the company was later reorganized as Gebrüder Junghans. Following the founder's death, the firm was managed by Luise Junghans and subsequently her sons, who expanded production through modernized techniques. The company became a major manufacturer, adopting mechanization and producing both civilian and military timepieces throughout the 20th century.
The extended history summarises the open references listed under Sources; each statement was checked against the cited passage. Confirm key dates in period documents before relying on them.
Timeline
Junghans's recorded dates, dated events from this profile and its sources, and dated pieces and sales from the object catalogue. Dates are as each record gives them.
1861 · Career
Founded (Schramberg)
1861 · Career
Erhard Junghans co-founded the firm Junghans und Tobler with Jakob Zeller-Tobler in Schramberg in 1861, before the company was later reorganized as Gebrüder Junghans.
1907 · Catalogued piece
circa 1910 · Catalogued piece
circa 1940 · Catalogued piece
1960-1969 · Catalogued piece
early 1970s · Catalogued piece
1990 · Career
Junghans released the Mega 1 in 1990, which was the world's first digital radio-controlled wristwatch.
1991 · Career
The company launched the Mega in 1991 as the world's first radio-controlled wristwatch featuring analog hands.
2009 · Career
Since the acquisition by the Steim family of Schramberg in 2009, the brand has experienced stable growth and maintains its headquarters in Schramberg.
September 28, 2022 · Sale
Junghans German Mantel Clock offered at Red Eagle Auctions
Recorded by Red Eagle Auctions
2026 · Career
As of 2026, the company continues to manufacture radio-controlled watches as part of its diverse product offerings.
Current watchmaking & later fate
- Since the acquisition by the Steim family of Schramberg in 2009, the brand has experienced stable growth and maintains its headquarters in Schramberg.
- As of 2026, the company continues to manufacture radio-controlled watches as part of its diverse product offerings.
- The brand's current collections include mechanical lines such as the Meister and max bill series, as well as Bogner by Junghans.
As stated in the references listed under Sources, retrieved 2026-10-27. Ownership and collections change; check the maker's own announcements for the latest position.
Key models
- MEGA 1
- Introduced in 1990, this was the world's first radio-controlled digital wristwatch.
- Junghans Mega
- Launched in 1991, this was the first radio-controlled analog wristwatch featuring hands.
- Meister Calendar
- This model was introduced as part of the Meister line in 2013.
- Kitchen Clock with Timer
- Designed by Max Bill starting in the 1950s, this teardrop-shaped clock is part of The Museum of Modern Art collection.
Major innovations
- Large-scale mechanised clock movement production
- Junghans released the Mega 1 in 1990, which was the world's first digital radio-controlled wristwatch.
- The company launched the Mega in 1991 as the world's first radio-controlled wristwatch featuring analog hands.
Known markings
- Eight-pointed star trademark
- Movement plate stamps with model codes
- The company adopted a five-pointed star logo in 1888, which was later replaced by an eight-pointed star symbolizing a gear wheel.
Serial numbers
Clock movements are dated mainly by trademark variants and movement stamps rather than continuous serial tables.
Collecting significance
Trademark form and movement stamps are the practical dating tools for Black Forest clocks.
In the object catalogue
10 catalogued objects are recorded under Junghans. Attributions are as given by each source and are not independent authentication.
- Junghans « Joker » Modèle 407 Musical Carriage ClockCarriage clock · 1907
- Junghans 17 Jewels WristwatchHand-wound wristwatch · 1960-1969
- Junghans Automatic Caliber 653 WristwatchAutomatic wristwatch · early 1970s
- Junghans Dato-Chron electronic movementBalance, escapement & train part · circa 1970
- Junghans Dice Throwers Alarm ClockTravel & alarm clock
- Junghans German Mantel ClockMantel clock
- Junghans late 19th century walnut alarm clockTravel & alarm clock · late 19th century
- Junghans Luftwaffe Aircraft Clock J30 BZShip's & marine clock · circa 1940
- Mystery Clock with Female FigurineMystery clock · circa 1910
- Reproduction Mystery Clock Figure with Attributed Junghans MovementMystery clock · early 20th century
Provenance
Where the 10 catalogued pieces by Junghans were recorded, with the collectors, owners and sales their records name.
Provenance map
Each piece is linked to the museum, auction house or dealer whose record it comes from, and to any other house or collection its own provenance names. Select a name to see its pieces.
Museums · 3 pieces
Auction houses · 6 pieces
Dealers & other listings · 1 piece
Catawiki
Auction house · 2 pieces
Junghans « Joker » Modèle 407 Musical Carriage ClockCarriage clock · 1907 · Record source
Catawiki: lot 106282359
Junghans 17 Jewels WristwatchHand-wound wristwatch · 1960-1969 · Record source
Catawiki: lot 89400381
Collectors, owners and donors
- Bequest from Mr John AskewAcquisition · Mystery Clock with Female Figurine
Auction history
| House | Sale & lot | Object |
|---|---|---|
| Catawiki | lot 106282359 | Junghans « Joker » Modèle 407 Musical Carriage Clock |
| Catawiki | lot 89400381 | Junghans 17 Jewels Wristwatch |
| Red Eagle Auctions | September 28, 2022 | Junghans German Mantel Clock |
| Irita Marriott Auctioneers & Valuers Ltd | lot 681 | Junghans late 19th century walnut alarm clock |
| Kunst- und Auktionshaus Quedlinburg | lot 59 | Junghans Luftwaffe Aircraft Clock J30 BZ |
| Soulis Auctions | lot 700 | Reproduction Mystery Clock Figure with Attributed Junghans Movement |
Each line is copied from the object's source record and is not independently verified. Holders are as recorded when the piece was catalogued: museum objects may not be on display, and sold lots have since changed hands.
Photographs
Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.
Sources & references
- Junghans, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-10-27 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Junghans Mega, Wikipedia (English), retrieved 2026-10-27 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Junghans, Wikipedia (German), retrieved 2026-10-27 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Junghans Mega, Wikipedia (German), retrieved 2026-10-27 (text CC BY-SA 4.0)
- Junghans – La montre allemande - À nouveau une croissance stable pour Junghans, Watch-Wiki, retrieved 2026-10-27
- Deutsches Uhrenmuseum, Furtwangen
- Published trademark reference tables
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.