Drawing its inspiration from the classic cars of the 1930s, the Meister Driver Handaufzug is Junghans’ first driving model. As always from the independent German watchmaker, what we is get is a clean and elegant timepiece that will surely stand the test of time.

With Baselworld 2016 only a few weeks away, the town of Basel in Switzerland will be the epicentre of the global watch industry. But for today, we look across the river - and across the border - to neighbouring Germany, where Junghans is making news once again. Specifically, the Meister Driver Handaufzug by the German watchmaker, its first driving model.

Although this is the first driver-focused watch for the 150 year old brand, Junghans has a longstanding link with the auto industry, going back to the 19th century. Back in in 1892, the son the company’s founder bought one of the first Daimler test cars, and the family used to host the technical elite of the era, from Robert Bosch to Ferdinand von Zeppelin, at the Junghans villa.

This passion for cars is also shared by the Schramberg-based company’s current owners - Dr. Hans-Jochem Steim and Hannes Steim – which have a collection of vehicles spanning 110 years of automobile history. Some of those vehicles served as models for the design of the new Meister Driver Handaufzug.

One source of inspiration for the watch was the 1932 Maybach DS 8 Zeppelin, which was the expression of exquisite luxury at the time. The watchmaker selected features of the instruments of the car and incorporated them in the new Meister Driver Handaufzug. For example, the model displays a colour combination reminiscent of the paintwork of the classic car: dark anthracite, cream and light grey.

But the most obvious connection to those classic cars is the dial of the Meister Driver Handaufzug, which replicates a dashboard speedometer. Even in darkness, its large numerals and bold hands with luminous applique ensure optimal readability. More depth is added to the dial thanks to a vintage inspired domed dial.

The case proportions are also consistent with watches of the mid-century, barely measuring 38mm across. The slim case houses the hand winding ETA 7001 calibre, which also parallels the hand-winding car clocks of that generation.

The affinity with classic cars even continues onto the strap. The discreetly-padded leather strap and contrasting stitching also reflect incorporate the interior colours of the classic vehicle, featuring the typical perforations of classic car seats.

With the Meister Driver Handaufzug, the German watchmakers ha leveraged its historic connection with the auto industry, producing an elegant new watch rooted in lasting values and tradition. While this is a new addition to the Junghans collection, it doesn’t stray too far from what the company is already known for: modest case sizes, clean and minimalistic dials, and reliable movements. This is a simple wristwatch (in the most positive sense possible) that is simply nostalgic for a past era.