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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Movement record · Germany

Junghans W 738

Partially verified

Mass-produced German automatic from the Black Forest's largest maker, representative of West German volume production distinct from the Swiss industry next door.

Technical specifications

Diameter
Approx. 28.5 mm (12¾ lignes class)
Height
Approx. 6 mm class
Jewels
17–21 jewels depending on version
Frequency
18,000 vph
Power reserve
Approx. 40+ hours (period figures vary)
Winding
Automatic
Setting
Stem setting with date in calendar versions
Escapement
German lever
Balance
Monometallic
Complications
Date in calendar versions

Identification features

  • Junghans star and calibre number on the rotor or plate
  • German-language or neutral markings depending on export market

Known variants

  • Calendar and non-calendar versions
  • Chronometer-adjusted grades

Servicing notes

Cleaning, lubrication, mainspring and pivot work belong with a qualified watchmaker working from calibre-specific documentation. Conserve original parts: replacing a worn component with a modern substitute changes the object, and refinishing plates or dials destroys evidence.

General guidance only. Antique movements should be serviced by a qualified watchmaker.

Historical significance

Junghans was once the largest clock factory in the world; its wristwatch calibres like the W 738 document the German industry's separate path, which collectors often overlook in favour of Swiss material.

Related photographs

Junghans Mega
Junghans Mega — J. Lunau, CC BY-SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons file page
Junghans Additionsstoppuhr, 1960er-Jahre (2 qu)
Junghans Additionsstoppuhr, 1960er-Jahre (2 qu) — Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0 de. Wikimedia Commons file page
Junghans Armbanduhr 1950 (2)
Junghans Armbanduhr 1950 (2) — Lothar Spurzem, CC BY-SA 2.0 de. Wikimedia Commons file page

No confidently matched photograph of this subject has been found yet. These photographs show a closely related record, and are not examples of the type described on this page.

Sources & references

  1. de Carle, D., Watch and Clock Encyclopedia
  2. Period trade material catalogues and calibre reference compilations (edition-dependent)
  3. Published manufacturer technical documentation where available

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.