SpotlightStriking Hours: Presenting The New MeisterSinger Bell Hora Enamel Edition

Known for their unique timekeeping mechanism that features a single hand with a fine needlepoint—enabling the wearer to read the time almost to the nearest minute—German watchmaker MeisterSinger are no stranger when it comes to crafting timepieces that transport one back to an era gone by; when classical watches were the order of the day. Though replete with traditional watchmaking codes, their timepieces are built for a modern generation that appreciates ‘affordable’ haute horlogerie, and their new Bell Hora is no exception. As the name suggests, this is obviously a chiming watch, executed in a manner that’s reminiscent of old timekeepers where enamel dials were an integral design element. Limited to 50 pieces only, this watch is meant for those who want to take a trip down memory lane, with this classical timekeeper, strapped to their wrists. Here’s a sneak peek…

The Undeniable Charm Of An Enamelled Chiming Complication

Combining traditional savoir-faire with modern watchmaking is perhaps the easiest way to describe the Bell Hora in a nutshell. With this, MeisterSinger take us back to the early days of watchmaking, where craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology were valuable in creating pieces that captured the zeitgeist of that era. The watch stands out for its ‘sonnerie au passage’ chiming complication, where exactly on the hour, the mechanism rings in order to remind the wearer of the elapsed time, without having to look at the dial. The design aesthetic harks back to the age of pocket watches, with its glossy, white enamel dial, the fine serif typeface, the red and blue highlights, and the single, blued hand, which sweeps across the watch face to ensure accurate timekeeping. Here, each enamelled dial is uniquely crafted, making the Bell Hora Edition a highly coveted collector’s item.

The Bell Hora is a chiming watch, executed in a manner that’s reminiscent of old timekeepers where enamel dials were an integral design element

It stands out for its ‘sonnerie au passage’ chiming complication, where exactly on the hour, the mechanism rings in order to remind the wearer of the elapsed time, without having to look at the dial

Of course, the process is tedious and requires a high level of mastery and only a few artisans are equipped and experienced enough to carry this out since manufacturing genuine enamel dials is an ancient science in itself. Back in the day, such dials were created by using a mixture of glass-forming silicates and oxides. Today, however, only a few maisons have the technical know-how to execute this complex process, which has also evolved with the times and is easily comparable to a meticulously finished hand-decorated movement. It takes several days to finally complete the process, which means a great deal of work and almost as many rejects. Only a few of the painstakingly-crafted dials make it to the final batch, when the watch is in the assembling stage. The Bell Hora Enamel Edition comes in a sturdy stainless-steel case measuring 43mm, which provides ample space to house the striking mechanism. The crown controls adjusting the time and there’s also a pusher at two o’clock, which is used to deactivate the striking function. And just like classical watches, the bezel here is also quite narrow, allowing one to admire the beauty of these enameled timepieces.

The design aesthetic harks back to the age of pocket watches, with its glossy, white enamel dial, the fine serif typeface, and the red and blue highlights

The process is tedious and requires a high level of mastery and only a few artisans are equipped to carry this out since manufacturing genuine enamel dials is an ancient science in itself

Back in the day, such dials were created by using a mixture of glass-forming silicates and oxides. This has evolved with the times but still remains a complex art that requires skilled expertise

Only a few of the painstakingly-crafted enamelled dials make it to the final batch, when the watch is in the assembling stage

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The Movement: MeisterSinger Bell Chiming Module

The watch is driven by the MS Bell automatic movement, which is fitted with a chiming module, specially developed by MeisterSinger. It is based on the Swiss-made Sellita SW200 movement, which has been modified to incorporate this hour-strike module where the hammer and gong system is placed in between the dial and movement. Over a 60-minute period, it gathers the energy required to produce an accurate strike against the sound fork located behind the dial. The pusher above the crown makes sure the bell does not toll, if not desired, as the chime can be switched off by simply pulling the pusher out. A black marking shows whether the watch is going to remain silent for the time being.

The Bell Hora Enamel Edition comes in a sturdy stainless-steel case measuring 43mm, which provides ample space to house the striking mechanism. The crown controls adjusting the time and there’s also a pusher at two o’clock, which is used to deactivate the striking function

It beats at a frequency of 28,800vph and supplies the watch with a power reserve of at least 38 hours. One can get a glimpse of this powerhouse on turning the watch over as well as the signed rotor with a gold-coloured outer band. Limited to 50 pieces only, the watch is water-resistant to 50m and is presented on a brown leather strap, complementing its vintage appeal.