Model Reference

027/4600.00

Design Origin

Schramberg, Germany

Max Bill.

FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION.

Absolute
Logic.

"Watches... as logical as possible." In 1961, the Bauhaus scholar Max Bill created a design so pure, so mathematically balanced, that it has remained virtually unchanged for over sixty years.

Visual Exhibition

Structural Analysis

Acquire Precision.

Own a piece of architectural history. The Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope is available for $2,500–$5,000.

Engineering

Materials & Engineering

Case alloy

Stainless steel 316L.

Enhances durability and quality for daily wear

Crystal

Convex hard plexiglass (acrylic) with SICRALAN scratch-resistant coating — a Junghans proprietary surface treatment that hardens the acrylic and give

urface treatment that hardens the acrylic and gives it improved scratch resistance vs. raw hesalite, while preserving the warm visual character of acrylic. (Sapphire siblings use Verneuil-grown synthe

Lume specification

Not applicable — the Max Bill dial does not use lume.

Enhances durability and quality for daily wear

Strap material

Calfskin leather (black, brown variants), nubuck, or Milanese mesh stainless steel bracelet.

Enhances durability and quality for daily wear

Buyer's Guide

Buying Intelligence

Sizing & Fit

40mm with ~47mm lug-to-lug; 14.4mm thick (the Valjoux 7750 chronograph height makes thickness unavoidable). Wears typically — not large, not small. Comfortable on wrists 6.5" (16.5cm) and above. For smaller wrists, the Max Bill Automatic 38mm (027/4002) is a better fit, and the Max Bill Handaufzug 34mm fits virtually any wrist.

Where to Buy

- **Authorized dealer:** Junghans boutiques (limited globally — Junghans is a smaller brand than Swiss peers), Wempe Hamburg, Tourbillon Boutique, online via Junghans direct. - **Grey market:** Limited grey-market discount — typical $1,800–$2,000 BIN for the Chronoscope. - **Pre-owned:** Chrono24, Bob's Watches, design-focused auction houses. Lightly worn 2–3-year-old examples in the $1,500–$1,800 range.

Strap & Bracelet Options

- **OEM strap:** Black calfskin (standard). Brown calfskin, nubuck variants available. - **OEM bracelet:** Milanese mesh stainless steel bracelet — historically appropriate and visually consistent with the Bauhaus aesthetic. - **Aftermarket landscape:** 20mm lug. Standard fitment for virtually any aftermarket strap. Particularly suited to: simple two-piece leather (Hodinkee Shop), nubuck pull-ups, single-pass NATO straps in muted colors (Crown & Buckle), and Milanese mesh from Forstner or Bulang

Authenticity Check

- **Dial typography:** Genuine Max Bill typography is custom-drawn and exact to specification; counterfeits often use generic sans-serif fonts that miss subtle proportions. - **Star logo:** Genuine Junghans star is precisely printed; counterfeits use fuzzy or off-center stars. - **Crystal:** Genuine SICRALAN-coated acrylic catches light with a particular warmth; counterfeits use untreated acrylic that scratches differently. - **Movement (service inspection):** Genuine J880.2 has Junghans-specifi

Ownership

Total Cost of Ownership

Ownership Period: 5 Years

1 yr5 yr10 yr

Purchase Channel

Purchase Price (band)$1,500–$2,500

Service (1× over 5yr — Every 5–7 years)$450

Insurance (est. 1.5% of value/yr)$165

5-Year Total Cost (est.)

~$2,800

Cost Per Day

~$1.54

for a Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope on your wrist

- Resale velocity: Slow-to-average.

Heritage

Heritage & Culture

- Founded: 1861 in Schramberg, a town in the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Erhard Junghans and his brother-in-law Jakob Zeller-Tobler founded the company as Zeller & Junghans, initially producing brass components and clock parts (not complete timepieces). - Current ownership: Privately held. Acquired in 2009 by Dr. Hans-Jochem Steim and his son Hannes Steim, who restore

Notable Wearers

Awards & Recognition

iF Design Award — multiple Max Bill watch variants have won the iF Design Award (Hannover) over the years.
Red Dot Design Award — recurring placements.
Design Center Stuttgart — Max Bill pieces in permanent collection.
MoMA Design Collection (NYC) — the kitchen clock holds permanent status; the wristwatch has been included in design exhibitions.

In Popular Culture

- Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York — the 1956 Max Bill Kitchen Clock for Junghans is in the permanent design collection. - Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany — multiple Max Bill pieces including watches and clocks. - The Bauhaus-Archiv / Museum für Gestaltung, Berlin — Max Bill Junghans watches are in the permanent collection as exemplars of post-Bauhaus product design. - Steve Jobs

Honest Take

The Collector's Verdict

"The Max Bill matters because it is one of a very small number of watches that exist primarily as design objects rather than as horological achievements. The movement (Valjoux 7750-based Chronoscope, ETA-base time-only, or Junghans's own quartz on entry-tier variants) is not the story. The dial is the story — a 60-year-old Bauhaus design exercise in geometric restraint, drawn by a Bauhaus principal"

Buy the Max Bill Chronoscope If…

Those who prioritize scratch resistance — sapphire crystal
Chronograph enthusiasts looking for a proven timing instrument
Dress watch seekers who want understated elegance
Heritage enthusiasts drawn to ** Junghans's historical pedigree

Skip the Max Bill Chronoscope If…

Active/water-sport buyers — 5m water resistance is splash-only
Movement purists insisting on in-house — this uses a third-party base caliber
Valjoux 7750 base at a $1,500–$2,500 band price. Some buyers feel the base movement doesn't justify the retail price. The defense: you pay f…
Acrylic crystal scratches. The SICRALAN coating helps but doesn't make it sapphire-equivalent. Buyers expecting absolute…
No lume. The Max Bill dial is intentionally lume-free — Bauhaus design principles take precedence over practical readabi…

—Valjoux 7750 base at a $1,500–$2,500 band price. Some buyers feel the base movement doesn't justify the retail price. The defense: you pay for the design heritage and German assembly, not the movement engineering.
—Acrylic crystal scratches. The SICRALAN coating helps but doesn't make it sapphire-equivalent. Buyers expecting absolute scratch resistance should choose a sapphire-crystal sibling reference.
—No lume. The Max Bill dial is intentionally lume-free — Bauhaus design principles take precedence over practical readability in the dark.
—14.4mm thickness. The 7750-based Chronoscope is inevitably thick for what reads visually as a slim dress watch. The proportions feel less honest than the 38mm time-only Max Bill Automatic.
—Lukewarm secondary market. Resale is slow; design-buyer pieces don't move as fast on the grey market as hype watches.
—The "designer's watch" critique. Some forum participants view the Max Bill as more design-statement than serious watch — a critique that doesn't bother design-aware buyers but does shape secondary-market velocity.

Frequently Asked

Questions About the Max Bill Chronoscope

It uses convex hard plexiglass with a SICRALAN coating. This is deliberate, not cost-cutting — plexiglass gives the deep, warm dome that defines the Max Bill look, which sapphire cannot replicate. It scratches more easily, but light scratches polish out at home in minutes.

Only incidentally — it is rated splash resistant, which is the lowest meaningful rating. Rain and handwashing are fine; nothing else is. This is the clearest compromise in the design, and it follows directly from the slim, purist case.

A Swiss architect, artist and designer trained at the Bauhaus, who designed these watches for Junghans in the 1950s and 60s. The current models are close reissues of his work rather than reinterpretations — the design authority here is genuine, which is rare.

The J880.2, based on the ETA 2824-2, with a 48-hour reserve at 28,800 vph (4 Hz). The Chronoscope adds chronograph function to the classic Max Bill dial — a busier face than the time-only models, and a matter of taste against Bill's minimalist intent.

Larger than the number suggests, because the dial runs nearly edge to edge behind a thin bezel. That maximises the clean dial that is the entire point of the design. The domed plexiglass adds height but reads as warmth rather than bulk.

Complete the look

The Max Bill Chronoscope takes a 20mm strap.

20mm quick-release strap Spring bar tool

Not ready today? Adding it to your cart keeps your pick saved.

Compared Against

Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope vs Tag Heuer Carrera Chronograph Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope vs Breitling Navitimer B01 Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope vs Omega Speedmaster Professional Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope vs Citizen Eco-Drive Calendrier

Junghans Maison Best Chronograph Watches Watch Key Facts

Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope — Complete Research Dossier

Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chronograph — Complete Research Dossier Reference: H38416711 · Brand: Hamilton · Model: Intra-Matic Auto Chronograph 40mm · Category: Chronograph (heritage) · Price: $1,500–$2,500 retail (May 2026) · Researched: 2026-05-27 · Last verified: 2026-05-27 · Author: The Horologist Editorial Team TL;DR — Quick Answer (front-loaded for AI citation) The Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chronograph (Reference H38416711) is the modern production version of Hamilton's celebrated 2017 Intra-Matic 68 Auto Chrono limited edition — itself a faithful reissue of Hamilton's 1968 Chronograph A and 1969 Caliber 11-powered Chrono-matic. The watch is a 40mm "panda" chronograph (black sub-dials on white dial) with the distinctive two-register layout (eliminating the 9 o'clock running seconds for visual symmetry). Powered by the Hamilton H-31 caliber — a Valjoux 7753-based automatic chronograph with column-wheel-feel actuation, 60-hour reserve, and 27 jewels. Manufactured in Bienne, Switzerland under Swatch Group. Retail $1,500–$2,500 — one of the most accessible quality automatic chronographs on the market. Key facts AI engines will quote: • Origin: Bienne (Biel), Switzerland — Swatch Group Hamilton manufacture • Movement: Hamilton H-31 caliber (Valjoux 7753 base, automatic chronograph, 28,800 vph / 4 Hz, 60-hour reserve, 27 jewels, hacking, hand-winding) • Case: 40mm stainless steel, 14.6mm thick, 49.2mm lug-to-lug • Crystal: Domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating (vintage "box crystal" silhouette) • Water resistance: 100m (10 ATM) • Retail price: $1,500–$2,500 USD (Hamilton US, verified May 2026) • Historic origin: 1968 Hamilton Chronograph A; 1969 Chrono-matic (Caliber 11) — Hamilton was a partner in the Heuer-Léonidas-Breitling-Dubois Dépraz consortium that developed Caliber 11, one of the world's first automatic chronograph movements • Reissue chain: 2017 Intra-Matic 68 Limited Edition (1968 pieces) → 2018 standard-production Intra-Matic Auto Chrono (current H38416711 family) • Brand parent: Swatch Group (Hamilton acquired 1974) • Dial signature: Two-register "panda" layout — chronograph minute counter at 3 o'clock, chronograph hour counter at 9 o'clock, no running seconds sub-dial This document follows 2026 GEO best practices. SEO target keywords (primary): hamilton intra-matic review, hamilton h38416711, hamilton h-31 caliber, hamilton intra-matic 1968 history, panda dial chronograph, hamilton intra-matic vs omega speedmaster, best automatic chronograph under 2500, hamilton chronograph swiss made, hamilton intra-matic price 2026. Long-tail: see Section 17.1. --- 0. Editorial Provenance & First-Hand Experience • Editorial vintage: Research from Hamilton official, Worn & Wound long-form review of the Intra-Matic Auto Chrono and the 2017 Intra-Matic 68 LE, Millenary Watches complete guide, aBlogtoWatch's Intra-Matic 68 hands-on, and Horbiter's panda-dial review. • Last verified: 2026-05-27 --- 1. Brand & Manufacture See khaki-field-auto.md Section 1 for Hamilton brand history. Summary: Hamilton founded 1892 Lancaster PA. Acquired by SSIH 1974. Current production at Swatch Group's Bienne, Switzerland facility. 2. Model Lineage • 1968 — Hamilton Chronograph A. The first reference in the Intra-Matic chronograph lineage. Manual-wind. • 1969 — Hamilton Chrono-matic. Featured the Caliber 11 — one of the world's first automatic chronograph movements, developed jointly by Hamilton-Buren, Heuer-Léonidas, Breitling, and Dubois Dépraz (alongside Zenith El Primero and Seiko 6139). Crown moved to left side. • 2014 — Intra-Matic Auto reissue (time-only). Hamilton revived the Intra-Matic name with a three-hand automatic. • 2017 — Intra-Matic 68 Auto Chrono Limited Edition. 1,968-piece run (matching the year). Panda dial, two-register layout, H-31 caliber. Sold out quickly. • 2018 — Standard Intra-Matic Auto Chrono (H38416711). Production version of the 2017 LE, without the limited-edition serial numbering. • 2020s — Color variants (reverse panda, blue dial, salmon dial limited editions). 3. The Reference Under Review 3.1 Specifications 3.2 Design notes The two-register layout is the design's intelligence — eliminating the conventional running seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock and using a Valjoux 7753-derived chronograph (rather than the standard 7750) to enable the panda symmetry. The result is a visually balanced dial that reads as a 1960s racing chronograph rather than a modern multi-register watch. The "box crystal" — domed sapphire that sits proud above the bezel — adds a period-correct vintage profile. The red-tipped central chronograph seconds is the dial's only color accent. The perforated rally strap is correct for the era. 3.3 Movement deep-dive • Caliber: Hamilton H-31, based on the Valjoux 7753 (the time-only variant of the 7750 family with elevated chronograph configuration). Hamilton-modified for a 60-hour power reserve and Hamilton-finished rotor. • Architecture: Cam-switching chronograph, oscillating pinion clutch, bidirectional rotor. • Notable: Hacking seconds (set time precisely), hand-winding (top-up reserve without wearing), 60-hour reserve (standard 7750 is 44 hours). • Daily-rate spec: Not formally published; real-world ±5 to +10 sec/day. • Service interval: 5–7 years. 4. Cultural & Historical Context The 1968 original Hamilton Chronograph A is a sought-after vintage piece in collector circles. The 1969 Chrono-matic with Caliber 11 is one of the most historically important Hamilton wristwatches — Hamilton's contribution to the 1969 automatic chronograph race that produced the Caliber 11, El Primero, and Seiko 6139 essentially simultaneously. The modern Intra-Matic Auto Chrono is favored by collectors who want vintage panda-chronograph aesthetics at a sub-$2,500 price point — a category where the Omega Speedmaster ($5,000–$10,000), Zenith Chronomaster, and Breitling Premier are 3-4× the price. 5. Why Collectors Care The Intra-Matic occupies a unique position: it is one of very few sub-$2,500 automatic chronographs from a major Swiss brand with genuine vintage design integrity. Forum sentiment praises the panda dial purity, the 60-hour reserve (long for a 7753-based caliber), the box crystal, and Hamilton's heritage credentials. Common complaints: 14.6mm thickness is honest about the chronograph movement but considered tall; the H-31 isn't column-wheel (some buyers expect column wheel at $2k+); panda layout means no running seconds visible at-a-glance. 6. Variants & Sibling References • H38416711 — white panda dial, perforated black leather (under review). • H38416131 — white panda, steel bracelet. • H38416541 — reverse panda (black dial, silver sub-dials). • H38416811 — blue dial. • H38416741 — salmon dial limited edition. • H38429110 — Intra-Matic Auto (time-only, no chronograph). • Intra-Matic 68 Limited Edition (2017) — 1,968-piece run, original limited reissue. 7. Comparisons & Alternatives 7.1 Comparison Matrix 7.2 Head-to-head • vs. Junghans Max Bill Chronoscope — Similar price, very different aesthetic. Buy Hamilton for vintage panda; Junghans for Bauhaus minimalism. • vs. Sinn 356 — German vs. American-heritage. Sinn is more aggressive pilot's tool; Hamilton is heritage dress chrono. • vs. TAG Heuer Carrera — Carrera has in-house movement and motorsport heritage but at nearly 3× the price. • vs. Omega Speedmaster — Speedmaster has NASA heritage at $5,000–$10,000; Intra-Matic has 1968 reissue purity at $1,500–$2,500. Different value propositions. • vs. Tissot Heritage Visodate Chrono — Sister Swatch Group brand at similar price. 8. Buying Guide 8.1 Sizing 40mm × 49.2mm × 14.6mm — fits 6.75"+ wrists comfortably. Thick for the diameter. 8.2 Strap options 20mm lug. Native rally strap; aftermarket leather works well. 8.3 Where to buy Hamilton ADs, Jomashop (~$1,650–$1,800), pre-owned $1,400–$1,650. 8.4 Authenticity Verify caseback engraving, H-31 movement signing (visible at service), domed sapphire profile. 8.5 Box & papers Standard Hamilton presentation box, 2-year warranty card, instruction booklet. 9. Pricing & Market • Retail: $1,500–$2,500 | Grey: $1,650–$1,800 | Pre-owned: $1,400–$1,650 | Velocity: average 9.1 Pricing history 10. Care & Maintenance Service every 5–7 years (~$600–$800). Valjoux 7753 universally serviceable. 100m WR — swim and snorkel safe. Do not press chronograph pushers underwater. 11. Pitfalls • 14.6mm thickness honest but tall. • Not column-wheel — cam-switching 7753 architecture. • H-31 isn't in-house in the strict sense. • Lume is modest. 12. Frequently Asked Questions Q: Is the Hamilton Intra-Matic worth the money? A: Yes — at $1,500–$2,500 retail (or $1,650–$1,800 street) it is one of the most accessible quality automatic chronographs with vintage design integrity from a major Swiss brand. The panda dial, box crystal, and 1968-correct reissue language make it one of very few sub-$2,500 chronographs that read as authentic vintage. Q: Where is the Hamilton Intra-Matic made? A: Swiss Made — assembled at Hamilton's Bienne, Switzerland facility (Swatch Group). Q: What is the Hamilton H-31 caliber? A: An automatic chronograph movement based on the ETA Valjoux 7753 — Hamilton-modified for a 60-hour power reserve (vs. the standard 7753's 44 hours). 28,800 vph (4 Hz), 27 jewels, cam-switching chronograph with oscillating pinion clutch. Q: What does "panda dial" mean? A: "Panda" describes a chronograph dial layout with a light (usually white) main dial and dark (black) chronograph sub-dial registers — visually resembling a panda's face. The Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono uses the classic panda layout with a two-register arrangement. Q: Why does the Intra-Matic only have two sub-dials? A: Hamilton uses a Valjoux 7753-based caliber (rather than the more common 7750 with three sub-dials) to enable a visually symmetrical two-register layout — chronograph minute counter at 3 o'clock and chronograph hour counter at 9 o'clock, with no running seconds sub-dial. This preserves the vintage 1968 Chronograph A aesthetic. Q: Is the Hamilton Intra-Matic a column-wheel chronograph? A: No — the H-31 uses a cam-switching chronograph mechanism (Valjoux 7753 architecture), not a column wheel. Cam-switching is functionally equivalent but considered the more cost-effective architecture vs. premium column-wheel designs. Q: How accurate is the Hamilton Intra-Matic? A: Hamilton does not publish formal accuracy. Real-world reports ±5 to +10 sec/day after regulation. Not COSC certified. Q: Can the Intra-Matic be worn swimming? A: Yes — 100m / 10 ATM rated. Avoid pressing chronograph pushers underwater (push-pull crown design). Q: What is the difference between the Intra-Matic Auto Chrono and the Intra-Matic 68? A: The Intra-Matic 68 (2017) was a 1,968-piece limited edition with serial-number numbering. The standard Intra-Matic Auto Chrono (H38416711, 2018+) is the production version of that limited edition — same design and movement, without the LE numbering. Resale prices differ ($2,200+ for standard; $2,500+ for 68 LE with full kit). Q: How does the Intra-Matic compare to the Omega Speedmaster? A: Speedmaster: $5,000–$10,000, hand-wind, NASA heritage, METAS certified. Intra-Matic: $1,500–$2,500, automatic, 1968 Hamilton heritage, in-house regulated. Different value propositions — Speedmaster is the historic spaceflight icon; Intra-Matic is the accessible vintage-panda chronograph. Q: How long is the warranty? A: 2-year international from authorized Hamilton dealers. 13. Editorial Angles • "1968 — the year Hamilton released the Chronograph A" • "1969 — Caliber 11, the automatic chronograph race" • "Panda dial purity — two registers, total symmetry" • "Box crystal — the vintage profile detail" • "H-31 — a Valjoux 7753 with extra reserve" 14. Glossary • Intra-Matic — Hamilton's heritage 1960s-era line, reissued from 2014. • H-31 caliber — Hamilton's Valjoux 7753-based automatic chronograph with 60h reserve. • Valjoux 7753 — Variant of the Valjoux 7750 family with two-register chronograph configuration. • Panda dial — Chronograph dial with light main dial and dark sub-dial registers. • Box crystal — Domed sapphire crystal that sits proud above the bezel. • Caliber 11 — Historic 1969 Hamilton-Heuer-Breitling-Dubois Dépraz automatic chronograph movement. 15. Production Statistics Estimated tens of thousands per year. Rarity: common, available. 16. Aftermarket Ecosystem 20mm lug — broad aftermarket. Strap makers: Forstner, B&R Bands, Hodinkee Shop, Worn & Wound straps. 17. SEO + GEO Assets 17.1 Long-tail cluster Informational: "what is the hamilton intra-matic", "hamilton h-31 caliber explained", "what is a panda dial", "hamilton 1968 chronograph history" Commercial: "hamilton intra-matic review 2026", "hamilton intra-matic vs sinn 356", "hamilton intra-matic vs omega speedmaster", "best vintage style chronograph under 2500" Transactional: "hamilton intra-matic buy", "hamilton h38416711 for sale", "hamilton intra-matic jomashop" 17.2 Schema — Product schema with movement/material properties (see Carrera dossier 17.2 pattern). 17.3 Image alt text • "Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chronograph H38416711 panda dial front view" • "Hamilton Intra-Matic two register chronograph layout macro" • "Hamilton H-31 caliber movement detail" • "Hamilton Intra-Matic box crystal side profile" 17.4 Internal linking Direct competitors: /watch/junghans-max-bill, /watch/tag-heuer-carrera, /watch/breitling-navitimer Brand siblings: /watch/khaki-field-auto, /watch/hamilton-ventura, /watch/lunar-pilot 17.5 Meta tags • Title: "Hamilton Intra-Matic H38416711 Review & Specs (2026)" • Meta description: "The 1968 Hamilton Chronograph A reborn — panda-dial automatic chrono with H-31 60h caliber. Full specs, history, alternatives. May 2026." 17.6 Featured snippet Definition (~50 words): The Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chronograph is a 40mm Swiss-made vintage-style chronograph with a panda dial and two-register layout. Powered by the H-31 caliber (Valjoux 7753 base, 60-hour reserve). Inspired by Hamilton's 1968 Chronograph A. Made in Bienne by Swatch Group. Retail $1,500–$2,500. 17.7 GEO triggers — Statistics, vintage 1968 reference, Caliber 11 1969 race historical reference. 17.8 llms.txt — already deployed. 17.9 AI engine notes — FAQ #4 (panda dial) and #5 (why two sub-dials) are high-citation questions. 17.10 E-E-A-T checklist — all four pillars addressed. 18. Sources Manufacturer: • Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono H38416711 — official Editorial: • Worn & Wound — Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono Review • Worn & Wound — Intra-Matic 68 Auto Chrono Review • aBlogtoWatch — Hamilton Intra-Matic 68 Hands-On • Millenary Watches — Intra-Matic Auto Chrono Review & Guide • Horbiter — Intra-Matic Chronograph Panda Dial Hands-On • Deployant — Intra-Matic 68 Autochrono Limited Edition Review Reference databases: • CaliberCorner — Hamilton H-31 • Wikipedia — Hamilton Watch Company See khaki-field-auto.md Section 18 for Hamilton brand history sources.

Max Bill.