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09/03/2021
 7 minutes

Precise Watches for Increased Punctuality

By Sebastian Swart
Be late for something day-2-1

“Most people think they don’t have time to stop and smell the roses. This day tries to alleviate that factor.” If you’re one of those folks that value punctuality and are constantly honing their schedule, then this quote should strike a chord with you. It’s from the American advertising legend Les Waas, who passed away in 2016. He not only composed the jingle coming from the iconic Mister Softee ice cream trucks but was also a co-founder and president of the Procrastinators’ Club of America (PCA), founded in Pennsylvania in 1956. 

On Sunday, September 5th, the PCA will be celebrating Be Late for Something Day, encouraging everyone to indulge in a day of laziness, being late, and procrastination. It’s your day to kick back, put your feet up, and enjoy your favorite hobby or some good old-fashioned you-time. Need an idea about what to do? Well, why not check out the following: highly precise watches that will make sure you’re always on time on the other 364 days of the year. 

For us watch lovers, design, functionality, prestige, and (of course) precision are what matter most. After all, what good is a beautiful, prestigious timepiece if it doesn’t tell the time properly? When it comes to precision, there’s no beating quartz radio-controlled watches. These have receivers that sync up with a time signal. It’s basically a fully automated process, and their accuracy, theoretically at least, runs at about plus or minus one second every million years. But makers of mechanical timepieces have also developed some ideas to optimize the calibers ticking away inside of their watches. This article presents some of them. Things kick off with the radio-controlled watches by German watchmaker Junghans, an early adopter of this technology. 

1. The Junghans Meister Mega: Radio-Controlled and Ultra-Precise

The Junghans Meister Mega series combines a slimmed-down, classic design with precise radio-controlled technology. The ref. 58/4801.00 is one of the models in this series. With a stainless steel case size of 38.4 mm, this Meister Mega is a great choice for smaller wrists. Junghans outfits this timepiece with the in-house, battery-powered J101.65 connected radio-controlled movement that lets you set the watch using its crown or the Junghans MEGA App. As mentioned above, you theoretically only have to do this once every million years. This watch offers 30 meters (3 bar, 100 ft) of water resistance, and its dial is covered by a domed piece of plexiglass (an upgrade to sapphire crystal is available). Buy this watch, and there’ll be no more excuses for standing up your friends or being late for your business meeting. And the best part: this much precision and great design will only set you back just under $900 on Chrono24. 

Classic, elegant, and radio-precise: the Junghans Meister Mega
Classic, elegant, and radio-precise: the Junghans Meister Mega

The Junghans Force Mega Solar does its utmost to be kind to Mother Earth: models like the ref. 18/1000.00 run on solar energy. This watch delivers a sportier, more modern look than its Meister Mega brethren. You can see this with its 40.4-mm black polished ceramic case. Junghans uses the multi-frequency radio-controlled solar J615.84 movement in this timepiece that offers up to a staggering 21 months of power reserve before requiring a recharge. It, too, is set manually or via the Junghans MEGA App. This original design coupled with modern technology can be yours for around $1,200. 

Runs for up to 21 months, free of (re)charge: the Junghans Force Mega Solar
Runs for up to 21 months, free of (re)charge: the Junghans Force Mega Solar

2. The Omega Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer

Secret agent and silver screen icon James Bond apparently is so busy, he doesn’t even have time to die. That’s at least what you could get from the title of the upcoming Bond flick that will finally premiere on October 8th in the USA. You’ll recall that the film’s release was delayed repeatedly because of, well, you know. In No Time to Die, 007 once again sports an Omega Seamaster. This time it’s the Seamaster Diver 300M Co-Axial Master Chronometer 42mm that Omega offers as a 007 Edition. 

Omega’s Master Chronometer-certified calibers are particularly robust and precise. To obtain Master Chronometer certification, the watches are put through different tests by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS). The criteria this certification requires them to fulfill are much more stringent than those of the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). METAS performs eight different tests over ten days. This is, of course, the case for the Seamaster 300M and its Co-Axial Master chronometer caliber 8806. Along with its precision of 0/+5 seconds per day, the watch is also resistant to magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss.  

The ref. 210.92.42.20.01.001 is the current Seamaster 300M 007 Edition. Its 42-mm titanium case masterfully combines modern elements with a nod to the vintage feel of past Seamaster models, such as its brown dial and artificially aged luminous material. Unlike other Seamaster watches, this Omega has a good old-fashioned aluminum bezel insert instead of a ceramic one. Omega adds a military touch to the timepiece with the so-called “broad arrow” above the six o’clock index, a symbol denoting British government property. 

A watch fit for a secret agent: the 007 Edition Omega Seamaster Diver 300M
A watch fit for a secret agent: the 007 Edition Omega Seamaster Diver 300M

Want to have the 007 Edition on your wrist while checking out No Time to Die at your local theater this fall? You’ll need $8,100 for the list price of the watch on a NATO strap and $9,200 on a Grade 2 titanium mesh bracelet. 

3. Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Memovox

Ever since the 1950s, the legendary Swiss watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre has been an industry leader in creating automatic luxury watches with an alarm function. The watchmaker has been very successfully marketing these Memovox timepieces for decades. The ref. 4118420, part of its Master collection that premiered in 1992, features an alarm. What makes this watch so precise? Like every model in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s catalog, this model undergoes the company’s internal “1000 Hours Control” test, which lasts a total of 41 days to ensure the utmost precision, as well as water, shock, and magnetic resistance. 

The handy alarm feature you’ll find on the Master Control Memovox is great for anyone who oversleeps every once in a while or simply neglects to check the time. You’ll find the characteristic two crowns on the right side of the watch’s case. Use the lower crown to wind the timepiece and set the time. The upper one lets you set the date and your alarm time. All of this is made possible by the Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 956 that also delivers 45 hours of power reserve. The 40-mm case diameter and elegant design of the Master Control Memovox make it a perfect dress watch. Have $12,500 ready for this timepiece that offers the utmost in elegance, precision, and functionality. You won’t regret your purchase. 

Timeless, elegant design: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Memovox
Timeless, elegant design: the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Memovox

4. The Breitling Aerospace EVO: A Precise Multi-Function Watch

Do you need a precise tool watch and enjoy the Breitling brand? Then the Breitling Aerospace EVO (ref. E79363101C1E1) is going to be the perfect watch for you. The watchmaker equips its Aerospace models with its COSC-certified SuperQuartz™ B79 caliber that operates up to ten times more accurately than standard quartz calibers. This equates to a deviation of 0.07 seconds per day, 2.1 seconds every month, and around 25 seconds annually. The B79 is a highly robust, thermocompensated caliber, meaning that even the most extreme temperature swings will not impact the watch’s accuracy. The Aerospace EVO is also water-resistant up to 100 meters (10 bar, 330 ft.), so you can have it on your wrist on your next dip in the pool. 

Along with being ultra-precise, the Aerospace EVO delivers all kinds of useful functions for everything you encounter throughout your day. These include a chronograph that lets you measure time in hundredths of seconds; a digital calendar with the day and date programmed for the next four years; a countdown timer; an alarm; a second time zone; and a minute repeater. Operate these features on the watch’s dual analog and digital displays. You’re going to love the lightweight of the 43-mm Aerospace EVO, made possible by its titanium construction. It has a list price of $4,375. 

Precise, functional, and robust: the Breitling Aerospace EVO is a tool watch that can do it all
Precise, functional, and robust: the Breitling Aerospace EVO is a tool watch that can do it all

5. The Bulova Accutron Spaceview 2020: +/- 5 Seconds of Deviation per Month

The watchmaker Bulova has been around since 1875 and made a name for itself in the 1960s with (among other things) its electromagnetic Accutron tuning fork watches. This technology, highly accurate from its inception, is considered a predecessor to the quartz watch calibers that followed. A special feature of this technology is that its second hand sweeps around its dial instead of ticking, as is the case with typical battery-powered watches. And this movement is much smoother than those found in mechanical watches due to its oscillating between 300 and 720 Hz (for comparison, mechanical watches oscillate at between only 3 and 4 Hz). One of the most famous Accutron models ever was the Accutron Spaceview introduced in 1960. It made a splash not only with its remarkable technology but also due to its lack of a dial, allowing an unobstructed view of the watch’s electromagnetic movement. 

In 2020, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Spaceview, Bulova released a limited edition of this unconventional, fascinating timepiece. Limited to 300 pieces, the Spaceview 2020 (ref. 2ES6A002), although looking similar to the original, is technologically speaking an entirely new watch. You’ll find the NS30-Y8A caliber, developed by Citizen/Miyota, inside this timepiece. It has a deviation of only +/- 5 seconds per month. This technology features an electrostatic twin-turbine system ensuring that the watch’s second hand – just like the original Accutron caliber – smoothly sweeps along the dial. You can find the 43.5-mm stainless steel Spaceview on Chrono24, starting at around $6,100. 

Spaced out: The Bulova Accutron Spaceview 2020 is powered by an electrostatic movement
Spaced out: The Bulova Accutron Spaceview 2020 is powered by an electrostatic movement

Now, remember: If you show up late for something today, remind everyone of the Be Late for Something Day. For every other day of the year, we recommend one of the great watches above. They’re guaranteed to get you where you’re going on time with a stylish watch on your wrist. 

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About the Author

Sebastian Swart

I've been using Chrono24 for years to buy and sell watches, as well as for research purposes. I've had an infatuation with watches for as long as I can remember. As a …

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