SpotlightThe Sixties’ Spirit: Introducing The MeisterSinger Neo Timepieces For 2023
Inspired by the electrifying 1960s, the new timepieces from MeisterSinger’s Neo series are a tribute to the vibrant American culture, where the diners played a crucial role in bringing people together
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German independent watchmaker MeisterSinger may have only started out in 2001 but in over these two decades, they have built quite a formidable reputation when it comes to crafting exceptional mechanical watches that are competitively priced. Easily distinguished by their unique time-telling mechanism—a single hand with a fine needlepoint that enables the wearer to read the time almost to the nearest minute—the timepieces from MeisterSinger’s stable offer a classical design coupled with a traditional way of keeping track of the elapsed time, albeit in a contemporary execution. And their latest offerings, the Neo 36mm and the Neo Plus 40mm are no exceptions, and these elegant timekeepers are a tribute to the Swinging Sixties—an era dominated by bright hues, bold accessories, and a celebration of ‘free spirit’. They again feature the signature single hand indicating time, without the need for any superfluous elements on the dial, truly making them the masters of minimalism in fine watchmaking.
A Neo Paying Tribute To American Diners Of The 1960s
When talking about the 60s in America, the picture of a bustling diner is something that definitely comes to mind. The vibrant atmosphere back then, has been replicated in enough books and films for us to get an idea that these diners were probably one of the major socialising arenas, where people, especially teenagers used to hang out. While the food—juicy hamburgers, frothy milkshakes, and delectable steaks were major attractions; the décor played an integral role, ensuring these joints appealed to everyone with their palpable energy. Bright hues were integral and the seats and barstools in diners and bars were typically upholstered in red, pink or turquoise blue. This is exactly what has served as an inspiration for MeisterSinger to create the new Neo 36mm model, which features a bright dial in azure blue. It perfectly captures the spirit of those times when anything ‘brighter was better’.
The brand chose this model since it has already been in existence for a decade now, and its clear, clean, and balanced design imparts a typical 1960s look and feel. The two-piece case construction, consisting of a middle section and the caseback, was particularly typical of this period. In combination with the domed glass—popular at the time—the Neo is designed without a bezel, creating a simple yet elegant dial where the hour markers have more space on the watch face. This canvas is reminiscent of dress watches worn by our grandparents, when the focus was only on the most integral function of a timepiece—timekeeping, to be precise.
Beauty In Neo Simplicity
The new watches hold their own when it comes to design and execution, and are high on the elegance quotient. Available in either 36mm or a larger 40mm for the Neo Plus, the case sans a bezel, adds to the retro charm of these watches. The dial is protected by an acrylic crystal, reminiscent of the Plexiglas used in the watches of yore. The solid caseback looks alluring with a decorative motif, created using several MeisterSinger logos, ensuring a water-resistance of up to 30m, while the pull-out crown lets the wearer adjust the date and time settings. While the blue dial is in the 36mm version, the 40mm model is fitted with a classic black dial. The hour markers and logo appear in white along with a matching, single white hand, and a round date window, positioned at six o’clock.
The timekeeping function is simple—the hand rotates once every 12 hours to indicate the time—a hassle-free and intuitive way of measuring the elapsed hours. The watches are driven by the Sellita SW 200 automatic movement, beating at a frequency of 28,800vph, supplying an energy reserve of at least 38 hours. The 36mm model is presented on a black suede strap, while the 40mm version is mounted on a black leather strap.
