Junghans Wall Clock (model 32-0389) 1957

Max Bill’s Junghans Wall Clock is a lesson in minimalism, a deceptively simple object of utility and visual clarity. The palette is restrained—silvers, grays, and whites—the marks are clean, unfussy lines against a plain background. It’s less about ornamentation and more about creating a functional piece of design. Look closely, and you might notice the subtle variations in the thickness of the lines marking the hours. There's a precision in the details, a commitment to functionality that doesn't sacrifice visual interest. The clock hands themselves, tapering to fine points, seem to slice through time. There's a sense of balance, a harmony in how the elements come together. This interest in stripped back, functional design is something we also see in the Bauhaus movement of the same era. Bill's clock, like their furniture or architecture, asks us to consider the beauty in simplicity. It's a reminder that sometimes, less really is more.