ReviewMeisterSinger Black Line: A Dazzling Statement In Black

Do you remember Y2K? If it doesn’t ring a bell, hysteria had gripped the world a few years before the new millennia dawned. It all started when computer programmers noticed that coding in dates after December 31, 1999 was posing a slight problem. And somehow the doomsayers got wind of this small glitch and began proclaiming that the end of the world was nigh. The aftermath of all of this? Nothing. The year 2000 passed and everyone was back to doing what they were doing before. Well, everyone except for a man called Weller Manfred Brassler.

When, in 1999, the world’s singular focus was the impending doom, Brassler sold his company, The Watch People, which had been producing quartz watches since 1989. In 2001, he founded a new watchmaking company in Münster, Germany, and he called it MeisterSinger. The name was derived from the title given to German singers who discovered new melodic elements. But what was new about these watches? Hadn’t every possible innovation been innovated already? It was 2001 after all. It had all been done before. But Brassler had something in mind—to create watches with just one hand. And that became the MeisterSinger legacy that is its signature even 18 years later.

You’d think that it would be difficult to read time from a watch that only had one hand. But sundials and clock towers had incorporated this feature into their design ages ago. In fact, clock towers such as the one on the façade of Westminster Abbey served as inspiration for the design of these unique and sleek watches.

Introduced at Baselworld 2018, the MeisterSinger Black Line is a new take on MeisterSinger’s signature watches. The collection has four watches—the Salthora Meta, the Perigraph, the N^o03 and the Circularis Power Reserve. The single hand to read time is still there; what’s different is the dynamic and bold tone of the dial in all four watches—a breathtaking matte jet black. The numerals, indices and hands are all in a contrasting colour to stand out against the black tone. MeisterSinger’s love for symmetry is apparent on the dial—the numerals are all in double digits (they’ve added a zero for the single digits).

The diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, which has been used instead of PVD, makes the Black Line watches sturdier. Seen here is the case of the Circularis Power Reserve

The stainless steel cases of the four 43mm watches have been coated with jet black carbon and subsequently sandblasted to give them that lovely matte appearance. The numerals have been made to match the leather straps of the watches, giving them a dated appearance that really adds to their charm. It’s not all about looks though. The diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating—used instead of PVD—makes them sturdier. All watches in the Black Line collection can also resist water up to 50 metres. A minimalist look, a robust build and quality like no other, these MeisterSinger watches have got it all.

Perigraph

A Meistersinger classic that needs no introduction is the Perigraph. While the regular Perigraph’s dial—especially the silver or blue version that comes with a sunburst finish—looks a bit dressy, the Black Line’s iteration, with its matte black dial, looks like a functional and elegant watch. What’s truly interesting about the Perigraph, however, is the date display—no separate date windows here. Instead, the rotating disc is almost entirely visible, while the date is indicated via a pointer at 12 o’clock. Powered by the ETA 2824-2 or Sellita 200-1 movement, this MeisterSinger timepiece is a sophisticated addition to any watch connoisseur’s collection.

The Perigraph's matte black dial has an interesting feature—a rotating disc that indicates the date via a pointer at 12 o'clock

₹2,18,000

Check Our Selling Price

The large display of the watch makes it easy to keep time and would enhance any formal ensemble

₹2,18,000

Check Our Selling Price

N^o03

The cleanest design in this line by far, the N^o03 is for those who appreciate simplicity and functionality. Red indices mark the three, six, nine and 12 o’clock positions and the red-tipped hand makes for easier reading of time. Parts of the dial have been painted in ‘old radium’ harking back to the early 20th century when radio-luminescent paint was popularly used. A large aperture on the caseback gives one a clear view of the ETA 2824-2 or Sellita 200-1 movement inside, beating at 28,800vph, which powers this black beauty. An elegant brown leather strap completes the modest yet appealing look of this timepiece.

A watch meant for those who love simple but functional designs, the No.03's matte black dial contrasts beautifully with the numerals and indices

₹2,07,000

Check Our Selling Price

The clear caseback gives one a view of the the ETA 2824-2 or Sellita 200-1 movement that powers the watch

₹2,07,000

Check Our Selling Price

Circularis Power Reserve

Powered by the MSH02 movement, which is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, this hand-wound piece of art boasts a whopping 120-hour power reserve. No magic here; the incredible power reserve is all thanks to the twin-barrel inside. There is a legible date window at three o’clock and a retrograde power reserve indicator (with a red hand), which incredibly enhances the character of the watch. The large dial of this MeisterSinger watch comes with clear numerals in a contrasting hue and a red-tipped hand. Equipped with a brown leather strap, the Circularis Power Reserve is a worthy timepiece for a true collector.

MeisterSinger has refashioned its classic watches into a collection that is bold yet unbelievably sophisticated. We always knew that black is the most flattering colour on the colour wheel, and these watches prove just that. If you want to add a touch of black magic to your timepiece collection, the MeisterSinger Black Line’s stunning watches are tailor-made for you.