The Junghans clock and watch empire began modestly enough. In 1861, two German brothers named Erhard and Jakob Junghan opened their small family business in a little town in the Black Forest known as Schramberg. In the beginning, the brothers manufactured individual watch parts to be used by other, larger manufacturers. By 1866, however, the talented brothers began producing their own clocks.

In 1890, Arthur Junghans (who took over for his father Erhard after the elder's death) trademarked the signature eight-point star, which is still used as the Junghans' trademark today. By 1903, Junghans had become the largest watch factory in the entire world. Today, Junghans produces many different styles of watches but only a limited number of clocks. However, during their nearly 150 years in business, Junghans produced a number of wonderful clocks. Their ever-changing exteriors read like a history of design in the 20th century.

Junghans mantle clocks from the 19th century are elegantly beautiful; many have swinging pendulums, very high quality oak wood cases, delicate engravings, and other wonderfully old-fashioned touches. An electric Junghans wall clock from the 1960s, however, is apt to be designed in the starburst shape so popular in that era.

Junghans wall clocks from the WWII era are often sturdy yet elegantly crafted--just the sort of clock you would expect to see hanging in a respectable European home in the 1940s and '50s. From their wall clocks to alarm clocks, music box clocks to darkroom clocks, Junghans has crafted some of the most delightful clocks over the last two centuries.