Junghans first introduced a chronograph with telemeter and tachymeter displays in 1951. Today in 2024, Junghans has created a new interpretation of this historical watch that recalls the elegant yet sporty style of the classic chronograph of its time with a gold-coloured case and black dial that gives this timepiece a modern but vintage retro look.
Junghans is one of only a handful of manufacturers to offer the combination of these two additional functions. And the new Telemeter Edition JF is modelled on one of the rare gold models of that time, a watch that Hannes Steim purchased from the family of a deceased friend that so impressed the managing director of Junghans that he wanted to create a new interpretation of the sporty elegant model. As Hannes Steim recalls:
“Originally it was only supposed to be a single watch for me, but it was so popular inside the company that we decided to make a small series.”
And it is now available in a limited edition of only 150 pieces.
The new Telemeter Edition JF comes in a 40.8mm stainless-steel case that is PVD-coated in yellow gold with a black dial, which is true to the original design, while the eponymous telemeter scale is printed in red against a grey background.
The telemeter is there to measure the distance from an event that emits light and sound, a bit like a thunderstorm. This scale is based on the natural phenomenon that light and sound travel at different speeds. Light only needs an incredibly short amount of time to travel one kilometre – the negligible quantity of three milliseconds – while sound needs three seconds. So, if you see lightning in the sky, start the chronograph, when you hear the thunder, stop the chronograph. The ensuing measurement on the telemeter scale is the distance between the thunderstorm and you.
The tachymeter scale encircles the outer perimeter of the dial and is there to measure average speeds, for example a car’s speed on the motorway, autobahn or highway. Using route markers, you can measure the time needed to travel one kilometre. The average speed can then be read in km/h on the scale.
The new Telemeter Edition JF has some rather nice, sophisticated features such as a domed anti-reflective sapphire crystal to protect the high-quality dial with luminous numerals, giving good readability even in low light. The timepiece is powered by a self-winding automatic Caliber J880.3 movement with a power reserve of up to 42 hours, whose surfaces have been refined with a coating of rhodium. Various movement parts have been polished and the rotor as well as blue screws can be clearly seen when you look through the window in the case back. Fitted with a black leather strap with a saddle stitch seam in grey that matches the background colour of the telemeter scale, the watch is water resistant to 50 metres.
For more information on the new Junghans Telemeter Edition JF, which is priced at £2,490, please visit: www.junghans.de.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man On The Ground, a former member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photographs courtesy of Junghans
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