Today we’re taking a closer look at a new brand: Jung (pronounced “young”) — a watch brand founded in the heart of Tokyo by Fred Dupuis-Jung, a French car designer with over 20 years of experience in Japan, having worked with Honda, Subaru, and other major car manufacturers. His vision is to unite refined French elegance with the precision of Japanese craftsmanship. At the moment, the brand’s lineup consists of a single model: the J43C-01, available in three colorways — black dial with black strap, white dial with white strap, and white dial with black strap. The version we’re reviewing today is the black-on-black variant.
The J43C-01 arrived in a black, clamshell-style cardboard box. Personally, I would’ve preferred something more functional — a travel pouch or watch roll, for example — something that won’t just gather dust in the closet. It seems the brand’s intention is to keep the focus on the watch itself by going with simple packaging, but in my view, the unboxing experience is also important. Replacing the box with something more practical would enhance that aspect of the presentation. Inside the box, you get the watch and a warranty card. First impressions were positive — though the watch is actually larger than I expected. I usually avoid reading the specs beforehand so I can judge purely based on how the piece looks and feels on first contact. And yes, it’s noticeably bigger than I had imagined. That said, I was impressed by the overall quality — it feels solid, well-built, and very much in line with what you’d expect from something made in Japan.
The square case is crafted from 316L stainless steel, featuring polished sides and edges complemented by satin-brushed surfaces on the top and bottom. The machining quality is excellent—lines are sharp, finishes are clean, and the overall construction feels precise and well-executed. The finishing is especially impressive, showcasing a level of detail that speaks to high production standards. Measuring 43mm in diameter, 49mm lug-to-lug, and 13mm in thickness, the case is undeniably large. While it makes a strong wrist presence, its dimensions seem somewhat excessive considering the Miyota 6S20 movement inside, which measures only 34.6mm in diameter and 4.9mm in thickness. On my 18cm wrist, the watch wears noticeably oversized. While it remains wearable, it appears awkwardly large and lacks the comfort and proportional balance typically expected from a daily wear piece. That said, its weight—only 124 grams—helps mitigate some of the bulkiness.
Capping the case is a curved sapphire crystal. At the 3 o’clock position sits a push-pull crown, signed with Jung’s triple-line logo. The crown is well-machined with a tactile grip, making time-setting easy and intuitive. Flanking it are chronograph pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock, which offer satisfying mechanical feedback—thanks to the reliable Miyota 6S20 movement. The solid caseback is secured with four screws, mirroring the screw detailing on the bezel, giving the design a cohesive industrial feel. It features an engraved line motif, Jung logo, and basic specifications. Water resistance is rated at 50 meters (5 ATM), making it suitable for handwashing or exposure to light rain, though not for swimming or full submersion. Overall, I find the case design very appealing—modern, clean, and well-executed—but its size is a drawback. A scaled-down version—perhaps 40mm wide with a 46mm lug-to-lug span—would likely offer better versatility and comfort, especially for average wrist sizes. Larger watches on smaller wrists not only look disproportionate but are also more prone to accidental knocks against furniture or door frames.
The black dial variant features a subtle yet distinctive horizontal line texture across its matte surface. Surrounding the dial is a steeply angled matte black rehaut, adorned with crisp white minute markers at five-minute intervals. The dial itself is square, contrasted by a round minute track printed in white, creating an interesting blend of geometry. The three square-ish subdials—located at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock—offer a clean, smooth finish that contrasts nicely with the textured main dial. The subdial at 3 o’clock measures 1/20th seconds, the one at 6 o’clock displays the running seconds, and the subdial at 9 o’clock is a 60-minute counter. A square date window is positioned at 4:30, featuring a black date wheel that matches the dial—a thoughtful detail that enhances the overall coherence of the design.
The hour and minute hands are index-shaped, finished in white with black bases. Both the hands and the hour markers are filled with Super-LumiNova® BGW9. However, the lume could benefit from a heavier application, as its brightness fades significantly within about 10 minutes. The chronograph seconds hand and the subdial hands at 3 and 9 o’clock are a vivid orange, adding a striking contrast and sportier feel. The subdial at 6 o’clock features a white hand for a more subtle touch. At 12 o’clock, the Jung logo is prominently displayed along with the brand’s signature three-line design. Just beneath it, the word “Chronograph” appears in white, with “1/20” printed in orange for emphasis. At 6 o’clock, the water resistance rating is noted: “5 ATM” in white text. The dial design is both visually appealing and highly legible. It strikes a nice balance between modern sportiness and functional clarity. One detail that would elevate the presentation further is the inclusion of “Made in Japan” on the dial—given its origin, it’s something the brand should proudly display.
If quartz movements had personalities, the Miyota 6S20 would be the no-nonsense overachiever who shows up early, gets the job done, and still looks good doing it. And it’s no wonder Jung chose to put it in their watch. Made in Japan by Citizen’s Miyota division, this movement is a favorite among microbrands and watch enthusiasts who appreciate precision without the fuss—or the price tag. Let’s start with the headline: it’s a 1/20th second chronograph. That’s right—when you hit that pusher, the chronograph hand doesn’t just glide; it snaps with satisfying precision, ticking 20 times per second for super smooth motion. It feels mechanical, even though it’s powered by a battery. Trickery? Maybe. Awesome? Absolutely. It features a 60-minute counter at 9, running seconds at 6, and the flashy 1/20 sec register at 3. You also get a date complication, typically at 4:30. Operation is smooth, pushers have a nice tactile feel, and the accuracy? Spot-on, as you’d expect from a quartz. Battery life clocks in around 3 years. Sure, it’s not going to replace a Swiss Valjoux in a luxury chrono, but the 6S20 punches way above its weight class. It’s fun, functional, and just mechanical-feeling enough to scratch that enthusiast itch. In short? The Miyota 6S20 is like having a Japanese sports car under the hood of your watch—reliable, quick, and always ready to go.
Jung has opted for a silicone strap on this model, featuring a sleek black exterior with a contrasting orange underside that adds a sporty flair. The strap is integrated into the case design, giving the watch a cohesive and streamlined appearance. It measures 24mm at the lugs and tapers to 22mm at the clasp. The strap is soft, supple, and comfortable straight out of the box. It’s also signed with the Jung logo—a subtle branding detail that enhances the overall presentation. However, I would have appreciated the inclusion of quick-release spring bars instead of standard ones, as this would make strap changes considerably easier. Unfortunately, the clasp is where the watch falls short in terms of quality. It feels somewhat flimsy and lacks the refined finish expected at this price point. After just two days of wear, I found the clasp digging uncomfortably into my wrist. To improve comfort, I had to carefully round off the sharp corners with some light polishing. The strap is generously sized to accommodate wrist sizes from 16cm to 21cm. That said, even on my 18cm wrist, the watch wears quite large, and I doubt it would sit well on smaller wrists. Despite that, thanks to the supple nature of the strap, it remains comfortable overall—aside from the issue with the clasp.
The Jung J43C-01 is an ambitious debut for a new brand—one that brings together a unique design language, quality materials, and precise Japanese engineering, all under the vision of a French automotive designer. The result is a watch that feels both distinctive and thoughtfully executed, with a strong emphasis on aesthetic cohesion and functional clarity. There’s a lot to admire here: the refined finishing on the case, the bold yet legible dial design, the satisfying feel of the chronograph pushers, and the surprisingly fun and capable Miyota 6S20 movement. These elements combine to give the watch a personality that’s sporty, modern, and a bit unconventional—just like the brand itself.
However, the J43C-01 isn’t without its flaws. The oversized case may be a dealbreaker for those with smaller wrists, and the clasp quality simply doesn’t match the rest of the watch’s well-crafted feel. The lume performance and packaging could also use improvement, and a more ergonomic size—perhaps 40mm—would make the watch far more wearable on a daily basis. Still, for a first offering from a completely new brand, Jung has delivered something with character, quality, and potential. If they take this strong foundation and refine the next iteration—especially in terms of dimensions, comfort, and accessory execution—they’ll be well-positioned to stand out in the increasingly crowded microbrand space. As it stands, the J43C-01 is an impressive statement piece for those who like bold design and appreciate the fusion of European style with Japanese precision.
KaminskyBlog 