My Journey with a Junghans Pocket Watch: A Vintage Watch Enthusiast's Adventure

Aside from offering tips on maintenance and sharing the odd opinion, I’ll also be blogging about my fascination not just with admiring and wearing watches, but with how they actually work. The workings of a manual-wind watch really are a marvel of precision engineering — even in the cheapest mechanical watch. When you think about the often forceful motions your hands go through, then by extension your wrist, your watch takes quite a pounding too. For all those tiny parts to hold up is some feat.

The frequency of these blogs will very much depend on how much time I have. Taking a watch apart demands focus, time, and a steady hand. These days, time is the hardest part. If I start dismantling a watch, I like to get as much done as possible in one sitting. Otherwise, I tend to forget which tiny screw goes where, or the order I took things apart in — and that’s a recipe for frustration.

I also find myself slipping into a state of hyper-focus when I really zone in on the tiniest of parts. While I’m still learning what’s what, I decided to focus mainly on pocket watches. They’re relatively cheap to buy and, being larger than wristwatches, are a bit more forgiving to work on.

So, Project #1 will be a Junghans pocket watch.

Part 1: The Deconstruction

The Patient

I bought this pocket watch (below) via Chrono24 from a private seller in Hungary. I wasn’t particularly focused on a specific make — just something fairly inexpensive that I could practice on. This seemed as good as any.

It houses a Calibre J48 signed movement (17 rubies) from around the 1930s. It was running “OK”, but the timegrapher showed it was slightly all over the place, so it would certainly benefit from a service… whether it ends up being a good service remains to be seen.

Chrono 24 Seller Images

Who are Junghans?

Most people with even a passing interest in watches will recognise the name Junghans, but they have a genuinely rich and important history. Founded in 1861 by Erhard Junghans in Schramberg, in Germany’s Black Forest — a region long associated with horology — the company originally produced clock components. It expanded rapidly, and by the late 19th century had become the world’s largest clock manufacturer, combining industrial efficiency with precision craftsmanship.

In the early 20th century, Junghans played a key role in advancing timekeeping technology, including chronometers and military timepieces. After World War II, the brand gained international design recognition through its collaboration with Bauhaus-trained designer Max Bill, whose minimalist designs remain iconic today. Despite the challenges of the quartz crisis, Junghans continued to innovate, notably launching the MEGA 1 in 1990 — the world’s first radio-controlled wristwatch. Today, it remains a symbol of German engineering and functional design.

Let's Begin

I’ll write a separate blog about some of the online videos I watch to teach myself. Marshall Sutcliffe is definitely someone I enjoy watching — his enthusiasm for repair and restoration is infectious. I’ll also cover tools for anyone, like me, who wants to start tinkering.

I had a quiet Sunday afternoon planned — the perfect opportunity to start taking this apart.

I tend to take a lot of photos at each stage. They’re purely for my benefit, giving me something to refer back to when I’m struggling to remember or work out where everything goes.

The Dismantling Process

Firstly, the easy stuff.

The crown stem comes out by giving the small screw about three-quarters of a turn, then gently wiggling it free. Next, the movement is removed from the case. There are two screws on the outer edge of the movement — roughly at 1 o’clock and 7 o’clock — and once those are loosened, it drops out from the front.

The final easy job is removing the hands from the dial. I use a small Bergeon plastic protector — it looks like a guitar plectrum — to protect the dial as I gently lever the hands off. The dial itself has three lugs on the back that slot into the movement, held in place by three screws.

So far, so good. I’m still firmly in my comfort zone and everything is going well.

At that point, I decided to call it a day.

Everything was safely stored away, ready for another session, and I’ll take some advice on that spring from friends of mine at Hereni Time Service before going any further.

I'll continue the project next quiet afternoon I have.

The Anticipation of Reassembly

As I sit here, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation. The thought of putting everything back together is both thrilling and daunting. I mean, what if I end up with spare parts? (Yikes!) But that’s part of the journey, right? Each step is a learning experience, and I’m here for it.

The Tools of the Trade

Before I dive into reassembly, I need to gather my tools. A good watchmaker's toolkit is essential. I’ve got my trusty Bergeon tools, a loupe for magnification, and a soft mat to prevent any tiny screws from rolling away. I’ve learned the hard way that losing a screw is akin to losing a treasure — it’s just not fun!

The Community Connection

One of the best parts of this hobby is the community. I’ve met some wonderful folks online who share my passion. We swap tips, tricks, and stories about our projects. It’s like having a virtual watch club! I even found a few local meetups where I can connect with fellow enthusiasts.

The Joy of Learning

Every time I take apart a watch, I learn something new. Whether it’s understanding how the escapement works or figuring out the best way to clean a movement, each project adds to my knowledge. I often find myself chuckling at my earlier mistakes — like the time I thought I could fix a watch without a proper toolkit. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go well.

Conclusion: The Adventure Continues

So, there you have it! My journey with the Junghans pocket watch is just beginning. I’m eager to see where this adventure takes me. With every tick and tock, I’m reminded of the beauty of vintage watches and the stories they hold.

Stay tuned for more updates as I continue this project. Who knows what I’ll uncover next? Until then, keep winding those watches and embracing the joy of horology!