A single-handed watch is something you don’t see every day. There aren’t a lot of brands that make them, and, as a result, I think even fewer people truly understand them. MeisterSinger is one of those brands, and it’s taken great strides to introduce watch collectors to its easy-to-read-at-a-glance dials. This year at BaselWorld, they unveiled the new MeisterSinger Vintago Watch. The Vintago is a vintage-styled 38mm single-handed watch that hearkens back to the austere design language of the 1960s. The Vintago features a finely brushed stainless steel case with a carefully designed crown that retains the watch’s vintage aesthetic. The curved hour hand (its only hand) rotates over a stepped dial. The date window reminds me of the old IWC chronographs that showed three dates. The Vintago is also available in three different dial colors — opaline white, ivory blue, and black with matching date wheels.
Specifications
Brand: MeisterSinger
Model: Vintago
Dimensions: 38mm
Water Resistance: 5 BAR
Case Material: Stainless steel
Crystal/Lens: Sapphire
Movement: Sellita 200-1, Date
Frequency: 28,800vph
Power Reserve: 38 hours
Strap/Bracelet: Calfskin leather strap that matches the dial.
Price & Availability: €1,690
Analysis
I’d love to try one of these out. MeisterSinger says that the single-handed watch is “for people who don’t need to worry about minor details or think about seconds, but simply want to keep track of longer periods of time.” I can get behind that, and I think the Vintago would be a good vehicle for it. The styling is simple enough to make a glanceable read possible. I’m not totally sold on the large date window, as I think it acts against the above-mentioned simplicity — but it wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me. I feel pretty confident that these watches will be divisive, as any single-handed watch would be, but this is a good entry point if you’re willing to give it a shot. MeisterSinger did a good job decorating the Sellita 200-1 and it’s visible through the case back. I think the variety of dial colors will offer most anyone an option if the basic concept is to one’s liking.
Conclusion
We’ve seen a handful of watches from MeisterSinger. I am a big fan of their Perigraph and the Salthora with its large hour display. The Vintago is a little different from these, as it doesn’t feature a special complication in addition to the one-handed aspect. With a lower price point than the previously mentioned models, this watch will serve as a good entry point to Swiss-powered MeisterSinger watches. Miyota movements do make an appearance in the true entry-level watches of the brand but, for Europhiles, this is around the break-in point. These four dial variations will be available starting in April 2019. Learn more at meistersinger.com.
