Junghans 1972 Competition PINK – a rugged men's watch

A watch in the same color as guitars from the ’80s? And German? The Junghans 1972 Competition Pink isn’t for the faint of heart! Let’s take a closer look at these beauties, model number 27/4406.00.

Historical Legacy

1972 is the name of the series, which refers to the Olympic Games held that same year in Munich, where Junghans served as the official timekeeper—but above all, where times were measured to the hundredth of a second for the first time in history. All of this was possible because Junghans already had quartz movements, which it introduced just one year after Seiko, in 1970. It was a breakthrough in timing athletic performances.

And since this watch commemorates an important milestone, it is limited to 100 pieces. If you’re interested, you’ll find number 83 in our store.

A Watch with Charisma, Also Known as the Bullhead

In addition to the color, which took me back to the days of my guitar heroes, there’s another factor that adds to its rugged appeal. That’s the watch’s unusual—you could even say aggressive—look. This is also hinted at by the nickname “Bullhead,” which refers to watches with crowns positioned right at the 12 o’clock position. You’ll find these models mainly among Japanese Citizen watches. And if it’s not enough for you that Brad Pitt also wore a pair of Citizen Bullheads, then just think of them as weird watches and don’t give them a second thought 😉.

Video Review: Junghans 1972 Competition Pink

Going back to these German watches, there’s another important factor: size. These are stopwatches designed to time important events, so the display needs to be clearly visible on the watch.  The oval case offers a great width of 41 mm. I’m deliberately not mentioning the lug-to-lug measurement, because these Junghans watches simply don’t have lugs. The strap is attached directly to the case itself, so anyone who likes to swap out straps is out of luck. But to be fair, you won’t find such a great color anywhere else, and no other color would suit this watch 🎀.

But wait—I don’t mean to say this is a total failure, because I didn’t make the watch myself; it was crafted by a manufacturer with over 160 years of experience. It does make you wonder, though, why the strap is made of leather when the watch itself is water-resistant to 100 meters. That’s a bit of a contradiction.

Specs for the Fearless

The case has a diameter of 45.5 mm and is 14.5 mm thick. This watch was simply designed to be noticed. And to make sure people know about it, because even on the skin it weighs a hefty 130 grams. It succeeds at this perfectly, and thanks to its design, it actually fits like a glove. However, one has to consider whether this makes sense in the overall context. Let’s face it, this watch would look pretty comical on my wrist—one might even think a bull’s head was growing out of my hand.

The Junghans J880.5 movement ensures smooth timekeeping—though it’s really just a Sellita SW510. It replaced the Valjoux 7750 that was previously used. You can look forward to a stopwatch and a half-hour minute counter. Don’t look for an hour counter here; instead, you’ll find a date window at the 3 o’clock position, finished in black and symmetrical to the “Junghans Competition” inscription opposite it.

How did the Junghans Competition Pink models fare?

They say Germans are conservative, precise, and principled. I never would have thought that a brand known for creating such beautiful Bauhaus designs—which it does better than anyone else—would come out with such a radical piece. But just as much as I love their sleek, polished style, I’m a big fan of their sporty models, to which they always add their own touch of originality 🙌.

So now you understand why Junghans Competition watches are for real men? If they’ve knocked you out like they did me—and unlike me, you have a sturdy wrist—come try them out at Helveti. I’ll wait and hope for a slightly smaller version. Then I’ll proudly declare, “It has to be pink!”

Specifications

• Dimensions: 45.5 mm x 41 mm x 14.5 mm
• Drive: J880.5 automatic
• Power reserve: 48 hours
• Water resistance: 100 m
• glass: sapphire