Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The New MeisterSinger Neo Pointer Date
The Neo incorporates a pointer date complication and an additional hand.
MeisterSinger revisits its minimalist Neo model with a new pointer date complication. Abandoning the round date aperture of former Neo models, MeisterSinger proves that two hands don’t betray the brand’s commitment to single-hand watches or mess with the clean German/Bauhaus design that distinguishes its watches. Available in 36mm and 40mm stainless steel cases, the pointer date is neatly positioned in the centre of the dial offering an overview of the entire month in question.
Slowing down time
Since its 2001 debut on the market with its unconventional single-hand watches, MeisterSinger’s nonconformist designs have won over legions of followers and countless awards. Time ticks at a different speed at MeisterSinger and you can read how and why this unusual concept became a reality in Gandor’s article. Founder Manfred Brassler’s idea was to give wearers a general overview of the time, not a hyper-precision reading of the minutes and seconds. By removing the hands usually assigned to record the minutes and seconds, MeisterSinger’s watches relay the time with just one hand. The logo of the brand features an inverted fermata, the musical notation for a prolonging or holding a note, a fitting visual analogy.
Background
The Neo collection was designed with the ‘less is more’ philosophy and its first incarnations were 36mm models with minimalist dials, a single hand for the hours and minutes, the double-digit hour numerals and a circular aperture for the date with a different colour background at 6 o’clock. With its practically non-existent bezel and domed Hesalite glass over the dial, the mood was clearly retro and the name Neo chosen to evoke the revival of the neat, modern designs of the mid-20th century (read Bauhaus). A second line, called Neo Plus introduced a larger case size of 40mm with the same features on the dial.
Pointer Date
The new Neo Pointer Date abandons the circular date window and adopts a classic pointer date. Long before the appearance of the date window in 1945 on Rolex’s Datejust, calendar watches would often display the date around the periphery of the dial with an additional centrally mounted hand. The advantage of this date format over the individual date in a window is that you get a vision of the entire month and a feel for how far into the month you are. Is it the first week of the month, are you halfway through the month, is the month almost over? Much like the brand’s philosophy of giving you an approximate time reading, this format offers you an overall perspective of the month in question.
The slightly recessed date track is positioned in the centre of the dial with odd numbers in Arabic numerals and even days with red markers. Naturally the typography used for the date and the thin needle-like pointer hand is in line with MeisterSinger’s characteristic style.
Two case sizes, two dial options
Available in 36mm (Neo Pointer Date) and 40mm (Neo Plus Pointer Date) stainless steel cases and with a sunburst blue or a white opaline dial, the Neo Pointer Date has managed to incorporate a second hand without betraying its ‘single hand, slow time’ philosophy. Also in keeping with the brand’s philosophy of restrained prices, both models are equipped with outsourced Swiss movements, in this case an automatic Sellita SW 200-1 with a 38-hour power reserve. The caseback is screwed and the dial protected with hardened Acrylic glass. A handsome mesh Milanese steel bracelet accompanies both models.
Availability and price
The Neo Pointer Date and the Neo Plus Pointer Date will be available from March/April 2020. The 36mm Pointer Date retails for EUR 1,270 on leather and EUR 1,290 on Milanese. The 40mm “Plus” model retails for EUR 1,370 on leather and EUR 1,390 on Milanese.
More information at Meistersinger.com.
