Junghans J81-19 RZ Meister - a little masterpiece

Flop or Top?

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Junghans J81 Meister; picture/collection W. Krause; Front

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Junghans J81 Meister; picture/collection W. Krause; movement

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Junghans J81 Meister; picture/collection W. Krause; back

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Junghans J81 Meister; picture/collection W. Krause; embossing back

This watch would be nowadays not necessarily recognized as a men's watch. With its case dimensions of 34.33 mm (length with lugs) and 21,46 mm Width (without crown) it belongs rather to the smaller watches. Yet inside ticking a movement, Junghans devoted increased attention and earned him the title "Meister".

A beautiful, gilded Junghans J81.

The watches were not exactly a bestseller. Much more successful were the often barely larger cases of watches with the movement Junghans J80. But the small difference seemed buyers to hold on and the sales success not turned - a flop.

Or maybe Top? Technically, the Meister-movements could offer more, because they were different from the simple Junghans J81 because the Meister-movements were equipped with a Nivarox steel spiral and were well regulated.

On the back cover, the sign of the case-manufacturer is engraved:

G and K, in the center is a star and a crescent.

The case is made by the Kuttroff brothers (Pforzheim, Germany). The company was registered on 06.30.1934 (Source: www.mikrolisk.de).

 

Offered in the year 1936

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Catalog 1936; Source: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chronometrie

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Catalog 1936; Source: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chronometrie

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Catalog 1936; p 28; Source: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chronometrie

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Junghans J81 Meister; picture/collection W. Krause

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Junghans J81 Meister; picture/collection W. Krause

RZ means "Radium Dial", the metal band of the watch is original.

The catalog from 1936 is a dealer retail price of 25.- RM, the store selling price was 45.- RM.

The price was due to the low sales figures in 1938 decreased to only 41.50 RM.

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Catalog 1938; Source: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chronometrie

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Katalog 1938; Source: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Chronometrie

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Junghans J81 Meister; picture/collection: W. Krause

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Junghans J81 Meister; picture/collection: W. Krause

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Junghans J81 Meister; picture/collection: W. Krause

 

With spezial thanks to Wolfgang Krause for provide the pictures and information about this rare encountered Junghans watch!