MeisterSinger constructed its model on minimalist single-hand watches that eschew the extravagance of a seconds, and even minutes, hand — a signature type that makes these watches immediately recognizable. It’s definitely not the one model to provide one-handers, however MeisterSinger totally embraces the ethos of simplicity that comes from that one single time-telling hand. Although you will see further problems, equivalent to moon section, astroscope day indicator (!), and digital leaping hours within the catalog, MeisterSinger’s calling card is that unmistakeable needle-point hour hand. The MeisterSinger Metris Bronze, reviewed right here, has solely been within the lineup for a few years, however ever since its launch, I’ve been eying up this youthful, sporty tackle MeisterSinger’s basic design, anxious to offer it a spin on the wrist.
The MeisterSinger Metris Bronze is a lovable oddball of a watch — bronze, cushion case, one hand, 200m of water resistance with crown guards …and throw in a cyclops for good measure. If you happen to described the watch to me, I might be perplexed, to place it mildly. OK, if I’m being trustworthy, I’d say that it seemed like a horrible hodgepodge of design components that couldn’t probably work collectively, which fits to indicate precisely why I write about watches quite than design them! In a sane world, this watch ought to by no means have seen the sunshine of day, however I’m so glad it did as a result of the result’s totally charming to have a look at and a pleasure to put on.
Meistersinger designed the Metris line round a 38mm cushion case with brief 45mm lugs and a slim 10.3mm case top. These dimensions make it simply wearable for a broad vary of wrists, and the brief lugs are particularly welcome for these of us with modest wrists (mine is 6.75”). So, on paper, the size are nice, and fortunately that interprets to a really comfy carrying expertise. For me, the scale and form of the case made for a superb match, and the bronze case with chrome steel caseback retains loads of heft, so the Metris feels strong and reassuring on the wrist.
The Metris lineup has chrome steel and DLC-coated chrome steel watches in quite a lot of colorways, however the bronze model is the one which captured my consideration. Meistersinger doesn’t specify the precise alloy of bronze utilized in its circumstances, however the reddish copper within the alloy shines brilliantly out of the field, so I’d guess CuSn8. Since I’ve solely spent a couple of weeks with this watch, a patina has solely now begun to develop. However give it a couple of months and the skinny layer of oxidation that kinds on the floor of the bronze will develop a novel patina with loads of persona. That stated, if you happen to favor shiny, getting bronze again to its authentic state solely requires a little bit of lemon juice, baking soda, and elbow grease. Or you may go the opposite manner and speed up the oxidation course of and create a closely oxidized brown and inexperienced watch that appears extra akin to an artifact salvaged from a shipwreck (not for me, thanks). I, for one, admire the pure gentle patina that kinds by means of carrying the watch day-after-day.
One of many causes the bronze case works so effectively on this watch is because of the curves, angles, faceting, and mixture of brushed and polished surfaces that play with the sunshine in fascinating methods. I’ve all the time been a fan of cushion circumstances, and the MeisterSinger Metris’ compact 38mm case dimension, together with the sweeping traces from the mid-case to the lugs, tempers any suggestion of this being a cumbersome or unwieldy case, which might typically occur with bigger cushion circumstances. At first look, the crown guards could appear misplaced or a wierd component to incorporate, however they completely match the traces of the case, and a protruding crown by itself would have been jarring. Clearly, I’m a fan of this case. On the bottom of the watch is a deeply engraved chrome steel caseback. Nothing extravagant, however a sensible choice since stainless-steel received’t flip your wrist inexperienced.
For any watch, a legible dial is a should (in any other case, what’s the purpose of carrying a watch?), however by no means extra so than with a one-handed watch. There’s merely no room for error — you’ve gotten one hand and no wiggle room for superfluity. Fortunately, MeisterSinger has loads of expertise on this entrance, and the deep blue (virtually black) dial is exceptionally clear and surprisingly simple to learn. Hours are indicated from 01-12 (sans 6 because of the date) and single digits are all preceded by zero. The 2-digit markers lend symmetry to the dial but additionally assist differentiate it from a pilot’s watch. “Minute” markers are current across the outer observe with crimson hour markers indicated at 12, three, 6, and 9. I take advantage of “minutes” in quotes since you’re coping with a single hand, so every minute mark truly represents a five-minute increment. The time then is signified by that one massive, luminous red-tipped needle hand that factors towards the outer observe.
More often than not, we ignore the hour hand aside from to determine if it’s between hour X and hour Y, and our eye naturally gravitates in direction of the minute hand. It does take a while to get used to telling time otherwise. At first, your mind processes the massive single hand because the minutes hand, so it takes a while carrying the watch to re-wire your mind to have a look at precisely the place that hand is pointing between the hour markers. It additionally takes some adjustment to get used to telling the time as 7:20-ish or four:15-ish. If you happen to’re the kind who tells somebody the time all the way down to the minute quite than saying “a couple of quarter after,” it forces you to loosen up a bit — how a lot do these couple minutes by hook or by crook actually matter within the grand scheme of issues? Maybe, for this final cause greater than some other, I believe the Metris is a good alternative for a weekend or trip watch.
Cyclops date magnifiers may be divisive in one of the best of occasions, and I can’t assist however surprise if MeisterSinger is having a little bit of enjoyable with us on this one. Hear me out — one-handed watches don’t essentially require you to squint, however you’re telling the minutes of the hour with 1/12th of the true property your eyes are used to. So, if you happen to’re shopping for a one-handed watch, both a) your eyes are fairly good; b) you put on glasses/contacts; or c) you’re not terribly involved in regards to the precise time. And but, the model provides a cyclops for legibility of the date? It’s a bit weird. However right here’s the factor — it’s certainly one of my favourite components of the watch. Beneath that round date magnifier on the domed sapphire crystal is a brilliant pop of crimson displaying the date and including a unusual, playful component to the dial that’s complemented by the curving Metris sort that follows the traces of the cyclops. It’s a enjoyable and contrarian component, and that’s why I adore it. It’s the half that tells me that the Metris isn’t a watch that’s taking itself too severely (or, quite, that MeisterSinger isn’t taking itself too severely and was having some enjoyable with this piece).
A ultimate be aware on colours. The deep, darkish blue of the dial is sort of black with only a trace of post-twilight blue that performs splendidly with the creamy hues of the hand and markers. The pops of crimson play off the crimson hues of the bronze and add character and life to the watch. Total, it’s a colorway that’s elegant however by no means boring. The colours match fairly effectively with the classic hand-sewn brown strap and bronze buckle, which took little time to interrupt in and mildew to my wrist. That stated, now that heat climate has arrived, leather-based isn’t my first alternative. If this have been my private watch, I’d in all probability be searching for a distressed canvas strap to put on for the summer season, although a darkish navy NATO or perlon strap may very well be a pleasant match.
Contained in the Metris beats an ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW 200-1 automated motion that options 25 jewels and beats at 28.8kbph (although given the dearth of a seconds hand, you’ll simply should belief that) and incorporates a date show and 38-hour energy reserve. As talked about earlier, the date wheel is color-matched to work with the cream and crimson tones of the markers and palms. It’s a small contact, however a non-matched date wheel beneath the cyclops would have been jarring. If you happen to’re not used to carrying watches with out a working seconds hand, it may be a bit disconcerting whenever you decide up the watch, not figuring out whether or not it’s working or stopped, however you recover from it shortly after a couple of days of wear and tear.
If you happen to’re procuring round for comparable watches, there’s actually nothing else like this watch in the marketplace. Positive, yow will discover one-handed watches from manufacturers like Defakto, Luch, Schauer, and Botta, and yow will discover bronze watches from Oris, Tudor, Panerai, and any variety of manufacturers, however you actually received’t discover something just like the MeisterSinger Metris Bronze. It’s a loveable oddball of a watch and a straightforward conversation-starter — even with social distancing. I don’t suppose the MeisterSinger Metris Bronze can be my first decide for my each day watch, however it could be a really perfect weekend/trip/retirement watch. A watch to put on when figuring out that it’s 7-ish is lots shut sufficient. The MeisterSinger Metris Bronze retails for €1,990 together with VAT. Extra info may be discovered at meistersinger.com.
