Jiří Kratochvíl Germany and aviation. These two concepts go hand in hand, particularly because of the past—and especially World War II.
As one of the select German brands that manufactured watches for Luftwaffe units, Laco surely comes to mind. But we don’t have to go that far—among our western neighbors, we can find another interesting brand that pays homage to the history of German aviation, particularly with its Graf zu Castell model (ref. 969.01.01) from the Sondereditionen collection. But how will it look on the wrist, and who will it suit?
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Laco, another German brand alongside Junkers, has traditionally—and continues to—focus primarily on pilot’s and navigator’s watches. The aforementioned Sondereditionen Graf zu Castell model, as the name suggests, is a chronograph. The watch thus bridges two very closely related worlds: aviation and chronographs.
In previous articles, I reviewed the Seiko Speedtimer in the Pogue color scheme (here) and, later, the Bulova Racer Chronograph (here). Both models fall into the chronograph category with price tags ranging from 12,000 to 20,000 crowns, and the same goes for the Graf zu Castell. So how does this challenger, which also costs 12,000 crowns and has similar dimensions, stack up?
German Aviation on Your Wrist
For those who are encountering the Junkers brand for the first time through this review, it’s interesting to note that this brand is so closely tied to German aviation that some of its models are directly based on the original dials designed for pilots and navigators.
Specifically, these are the Baumuster A and Baumuster B pilot models. This is because Junkers continues to uphold the legacy of family traditions and the philosophy associated with aviation, as the company was once Germany’s leading manufacturer and supplier of aircraft to the Luftwaffe. The aviation theme is also reflected in the watches’ names themselves. Some models are named after famous aircraft from the past.
The legacy lives on
In true Junkers fashion, the brand pays tribute to aviation history with the Graf zu Castell model. However, this watch is not a tribute to a historical model, aircraft, or event, but to Count zu Castell himself. The count was one of the leading pioneers of German aviation history. With this model, the brand pays tribute to the former commercial pilot, who also worked in China and the Far East during his career.
His life and adventures were the stuff of legends. These stories inspired the creation of the limited-edition Junkers Sondereditionen Graf zu Castell watch. The watches bear the count’s portrait and his signature on the case back; available in three color variations, with 500 pieces each, they commemorate the remarkable history of German aviation and travel writing.
A Focus on Design
The watches come with either a leather strap or a Milanese bracelet, and you can choose from three color combinations—each of which is truly eye-catching. The first color option pairs a black leather strap with a very unusual gray dial. The second option pairs a brown strap with a beige dial, whose color is slightly reminiscent of the well-known “salmon dial” found on watches from Patek Philippe or Breitling. The third variant I tested, meanwhile, goes with the tried-and-true classic combination of a brown strap and a blue dial.
As they say, the devil is in the details, and Junkers has really outdone itself with these watches. First and foremost, I have to commend the beautiful and distinctive chronograph pushers. I also can’t overlook the hour markers hidden beneath the sapphire crystal, which is quite unusual in this price range. Most chronographs in this category have hour markers applied directly to the bezel. This detail adds to the watch’s sense of luxury.
Third, I must highlight the attention to detail on the dial itself. The watch features a beautifully framed date window at the 20-minute mark, and the “Telemeter” inscription at the 12 o’clock position is in a different color than the rest of the lettering and hands. The model with the cream-colored dial also features minute and hour hands in a beautiful royal blue. The perfect design signature is further accentuated by the ribbed sub-dials.
What’s next?
But as is often the case, that’s where the list of differences and unique features in this price range ends. The watch has a case diameter of 42 millimeters—typical for chronographs in this category—is powered by a battery-operated movement with a deviation of 15 seconds per month, and is water-resistant to 100 meters.
Therefore, nothing changes when it comes to choosing between the various chronographs in this segment, and the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and taste in design rather than the type of movement the watch has. However, the pros for Junkers in this case could be an interesting story, a limited production run of just 500 pieces, or the choice between two different straps—something competitors don’t offer.
Most often, then, this will involve choosing a watch for everyday wear by aviation enthusiasts or military history buffs who want a watch that reflects their interests. Matching it to your style will be easy, and replacing the strap when it wears out—or swapping it for a different color—will be a breeze thanks to the quick-release pins.
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