Junghans Max Bill or Nomos Tangente

Nomos is more than worth 2x the price in my honest opinion. I own a Nomos and have owned a Max Bill from Junghans.

I think you want truest, most iconic, Bauhaus design - then the Junghans Max Bill is the strongest contender. At least IMO.

If you want Bauhaus with a German made movement, with display case back, you cannot go wrong with the Nomos.

I owned the manual wound Max Bill which was my favorite watch for a long time, but I grew out of love because of the proportion of that watch. It's so thin and most of its thickness is its plexiglass crystal, so at times it feels like it lacks presence. Perhaps a 38mm and sapphire can give it more presence (mine was 34) Also know that the Junghans is all dial, so 38 may wear larger than you'd think.

With Junghans and especially Max Bill you are getting a use history and heritage which is in my eyes always fascinating with a watch. They have gorgeous build quality and great value for money.

Thank you all for all the comments, definitely food for thought. I’d like to throw in Sternglas Naos Oxford Edition as well with the Miyota 9015 movement. It’s nicely decorated also with display case back.

Another German maker that I’ve been going back and forth on. Doesn’t have the history as the others for sure. I have to say the choices for microbrands are dizzying.

This is what I would consider first serious watch purchase 😀

Ahh, I love both but prefer Nomos.

As far as I know, Max Bill is from the Bauhaus school, so if you want authentic Bauhaus credential, go Junghans. Nomos probably in design style of Bauhaus but not sure of its lineage, perhaps others could chip in.

Both are good. Junghans is Bauhaus purity. A thing most people here have yet to point out is the lug to lug measurement of these watches.

Nomos watches tend to wear larger than it's diameter due to long lugs. Junghans is almost all dial with more compact lugs. I'd go with the Junghans if my wrist is relatively small.

EDIT: Saw on your profile you have a 6 inch wrist. The Junghans may wear better on you. Even the Tangente 38s and 39s may not wear well. Lugs are not only long but don't curve much.

I think those two are awesome watches. If I had to chose, though, I'd go for a Nomos. The Tangente might not be an original design, but it's a great watch with a high integration level.

The Junghans is awesome in a different way: it's a design icon. But it doesn't feel as solidly built as the Nomos does imo. Also, if you go for the sapphire, if it cracks, it's a 250€ charge for the repair.

But in general, both great choices and iconic watches can't go wrong with one or the other imo.

Btw: the Tangente is based on an old Lange design.

Perfectly showcases the difference in lug length I was referring to in my comment. Nomos looks almost double of the Junghans in this pic.

In our watch case (me and my wife) we have two Max Bill (38mm and 34mm automatic) and a 35mm Tangente. I love them all but the Nomos is certainly special. You can find a size for your wrist from either one I think.

Side note, you may find more deals on Junghans than Nomos, from what I've seen. We picked up the Max Bills for a great price on Black Friday a couple years ago.

I would say NOMOS, too - they're just made so well.

lol…or I could just get both like you 😃

I'm glad Junghans is now offering sapphire on their Max Bills. I can get sapphire front and back on <$500 watches so at least their paying attention to the marketplace.

Nomos all day, everyday!

Looks like the jury is in and it's Nomos 😀 Thanks Crunchers for all the honest feedback, it is much appreciated. This was my first post as well and everyone was so generous with their time.

Stay Crunchie everyone!

The Max Bill Automatic Bauhaus variant has a display caseback (Gropius Dessau building). As pointed before, the Nomos is beautiful, but also has VERY long lugs... My favorite is the Junghans, for my 6.5in wrist ;)

I was just looking at that model as well and it had the red hands…