What do I mean? Well, unlike in a typical regulator, where the 12 o’clock sub-dial counts the hours and the main hand counts the minutes, the Singulator reverses these two functions. This means that the main hand counts the hours and the 12 o’clock sub-dial counts the minutes.
Why is this a big deal, you might ask?
Well, take a look at Meistersinger’s single hand watches. Meistersinger is all about slowing down our perception of time. In their single hand watches, how they do this is to remove the minutes and seconds hands, and leave the hour hand, which is all that is necessary to read the time.
Precision is the main thing sacrificed, but that is the whole idea behind the brand. You only really need to know the time to the nearest 5 or 10 minutes, and the single (hour) hand is able to give you that. With a single hand that is almost imperceptible in movement when you look at the watch, the idea is that you relax and allow the flow of time to unfold naturally.
In the Singulator, they have retained this idea, and you read the time as you would in their single hand versions. But what do you do if you’re a person that likes this concept, but simply must, on certain occasions, have precision in your timekeeping when you must know the time to the nearest minute or second?
Well, with the Singulator, you’re going to be very happy, because it is simply the best all-in-one solution to this (admittedly) narrow set of requirements. On those occasions when you need to know the time to the exact minute or second, you have it, right there, in the sub-dials.
In summary then, the Singulator cannot really be called a regulator. A more appropriate term would be “regulator style”. Though one can say that this method of displaying the time is one of a kind, and unique out of all the watches out there. No other company could have pulled it off except Meistersinger.
Movement-wise, we have a Unitas 6497 as the base and a redesigned regulator module added on top to provide the functionality required. In order to retain the precision of the pointer, as required in the changing of the hand functions, a special spring wheel was created in order to replace a gear. This spring wheel is so thin that the LIGA (Lithographie, Galvanoformung, Abformung) process was used, which is a type of 3D printing that was able to provide the required precision.
It’s good to know then that real innovation exists in this watch, and no compromises were accepted even with an admittedly imprecise hour hand in Meistersinger’s original concept.
The movement as well is highly decorated, featuring such elements as a Geneva stripes and perlage which impart an almost three dimensional look. In fact, if you look at the photos in this article, you will note what I mean about the movement finishing. Move the watch around while looking though the display back, and if you catch the light a certain way, it becomes a distinct pleasure. In fact, hand-winding the movement was for me, always an opportunity to watch the crown spring and the main spring move and also enjoy the beautiful finish.
At 4580 GBP, this is Meistersinger’s most expensive watch, and in many ways you could say that it is understandable. What you get for your money is a 43mm stainless steel case on a leather strap and a deployment clasp, a modified Unitas with a nice smooth action when wound, a view of the beautifully finished movement through the display back, and a one-of-a-kind way of displaying the time. As well, it’s quite a hefty watch at 13mm thick, but it retains a distinctively classy presence on the wrist and is well-suited as a dress watch.
It’s all-in-all a very coherent design and I can’t really find any fault with what it sets out to do and how it does it. Meisterginger’s design identity is strong and well received, having a history of winning Red dot design awards over the years for four other watches in their portfolio. Amazingly, the Singulator represents the fifth Red dot design award they have received, and this one was as recent as 2010. That, in a nutshell, says it all. The design is exceptional to critics and watch-lovers, and I hazard a guess that Meistersinger is well on the way to garnering more fans the longer it continues to be around.
For now though, do check out the Singulator, priced at 4,580 GBP, if you’re into the regulator style but want something a little bit different. From my time with the watch, I think that it will be difficult to be disappointed. meistersinger.net
Necessary Data
>Brand: Meistersinger
>Model: Singulator 43mm
>Price: 4580 GBP
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes, it’s the precise version of the Meistersinger concept.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Someone who’s not too sure about the single hand concept and needs a safety net of minutes and seconds.
>Best characteristic of watch: Well-sized, good looks, and one-of-a-kind movement and time display.
>Worst characteristic of watch: Most expensive Meistersinger, but you get what you pay for.
