Best Prices on Junghans Atomic Watches

[Roger]

I've just very recently (like yesterday) become interested in atomic watches--those quartz watches that have a built-in receiver that picks up time signals and re-synchronizes the watch every few hours. This means that your watch is never more than about a 1/2-second away from the exact correct time. This I find extremely cool. I've discovered that probably the nicest of this genre are the Junghans models made in Germany. With that brand, you can get something that looks pretty good on the wrist, although not quite a full dress watch. So...does anyone know of a good source pricewise for this line of watches?

 

[amemovox]

http://www.junghansusa.com/

The official website. They accept on-line orders.

 

[Sam Hober]

Originally Posted by Roger

I've just very recently (like yesterday) become interested in atomic watches--those quartz watches that have a built-in receiver that picks up time signals and re-synchronizes the watch every few hours. This means that your watch is never more than about a 1/2-second away from the exact correct time. This I find extremely cool. I've discovered that probably the nicest of this genre are the Junghans models made in Germany. With that brand, you can get something that looks pretty good on the wrist, although not quite a full dress watch. So...does anyone know of a good source pricewise for this line of watches?
Roger, I am also interested in an atomic watch. I would love for it to be solar powered and have a very easy to read dial. If I can't quickly and easily read the time down to the second then being so accurate is less attractive. I don't mind a sporty look, as I can use it for running and casual use. I know that just down the road from Denver there is an atomic broadcast station (Boulder or Golden perhaps?) but are they all over the world or can the watch pickup the Colorado signal from anywhere?

 

[A Y]

David,

Casio makes solar-powered atomic watches, but that may be too casual? Colorado's signal is what you use in the US, but Japan and the EU use different standards, and I don't think there is a single watch that will sync up to all of the standards --- they're usually set for a single market.

--Andre

 

[Roger]

Andre and David: The transmitter for North America is at Fort Collins (about 60 miles almost directly north of you, David), and it evidently has an effective range of about 1900 miles, giving access to the signal to just about all of the continental US (except Alaska) and all of Canada except for Newfoundland. The British and Europeans take their signals from a transmitter in Germany. Watches made for these two markets are not interchangeable because the signals from the two transmitters differ. (So don't buy from a British online seller, David!)

David, I fully and absolutely agree about the solar feature. That makes the whole deal even more cool. And they are available. Junghans does have some solar models, I believe. I've looked over the Casio offerings--they certainly provide all the features, including solar-powered batteries--but they really look like hell. I couldn't find one that I could bear wearing. A couple of the ladies' models came closest. However, in addition to their regular line, Junghans do make a less expensive line called Eurochron, and decent-looking atomics are also available from Oceanus and La Crosse (the latter very inexpensive). There may be others out there; I'm still looking. Here are a couple of U.S. websites I found that have quite a few:

http://www.allabouttime.net/Merchant...earch=overture

http://www.ewatches.com/Oceanus/inde...20061015163711

 

[Sam Hober]

Originally Posted by Andre Yew

David, Casio makes solar-powered atomic watches, but that may be too casual? Colorado's signal is what you use in the US, but Japan and the EU use different standards, and I don't think there is a single watch that will sync up to all of the standards --- they're usually set for a single market. --Andre
Andre, I bought a Citizen solar watch in Tokyo around 6 years ago that is a fantastic casual watch. I have no problem with casual if it is very clear and easy to read. Roger, Go for the solar model! Next thing we will be going out and buying rocket kits and radio-controlled cars! (smiling)