Drawing inspiration from a 1950s model aviator watch, this latest bold offering from the German brand is the perfect co-pilot for your wrist.

The vintage trend has been back in the past couple of years. We’ve seen many brands revisit their golden eras and reissue vintage-inspired models; Girard-Perregaux and Tudor were two brands with the more impressive recent releases.

Junghans has also joined in and taken a step back, with the new Meister Pilot Event Edition. The watch builds on the heritage of the brand’s famous 1955 model J88 Bundeswehrchronograph.

The Schramberg-based company has drawn on its intimate connection with the history of flight and incorporates key design elements of the legendary Junghans pilot watch of the 1950s. This watch’s design is straight from the vintage model, with its instantly recognisable scalloped bidirectional bezel. With such a dial design, you can’t help but to look more closely at the dial, which is highly readable even in dark light – exactly what you’d expect from a pilot’s watch.

The new Meister Pilot is also a step forward of sorts for the brand. Junghans is definitely known for its fine watch designs, but they usually err on the side of understated and clean looks. With this watch we also have a modern feel, thanks to the up-sized 43mm case. Despite its size, the finely finished cased and curved lugs ensure a comfortable fit that would wear smaller than what the size might suggest.

With the Junghans Meister Pilot, we have a bold and rugged design, which appears to be aimed away from the more traditional Junghans customer. With the brand making all efforts to make its presence felt internationally, offering something different from their norm certainly makes sense.

It’s is available in two versions, a more modern variant with a black strap and white lume, and a more retro feel brown strap variant with vintage lume. Both watches are powered by the automatic calibre J880.4, a reliable ETA-based movement.

Both retail for about $2,500, a great value achieved in part by not including some more common elements, like a sapphire case back or date function. Not that you’d really miss those features though; their omission ensures a clean and well balanced dial.

Overall, the new Junghans Meister Pilot make a big impression for all the right reasons. Look for this pilot’s watch to take off in 2016.