MeisterSinger Singular
- a soothing reading of time experience
- an original, simple and elegant watch
- reasonably priced
- a reading of time that can be a little disturbing for those obsessed with precision
- a watch that is a bit bulky for a dress watch
| Brand | MeisterSinger |
| Model name | Singular |
| Reference | MM307 |
| Case material | Steel |
| Case diameter (without crown) | 43 mm |
| Case diameter (crown included) | 46,80 mm |
| Movement type | Automatic |
| Caliber | ETA 7750 |
| Base Caliber | Valjoux 7750 |
| Functions | Chronograph Hour |
| Crystal | Sapphire glass |
| Power reserve | 48h |
| Transparent back | Yes |
| Lug width | 20 mm |
| Length from lug to lug | 50,55 mm |
| Case thickness | 15,10 mm |
| Strap material | Alligator |
| Clasp type | Pin buckle |
| Clasp material | Steel |
| Total weight | 111 grammes |
| Retail price USA at November 25th, 2010 | $2,500.00 |
| Comfort (/15) | 13 |
| Movement (/20) | 9 |
| Movement Optimisation / Garnishment (/5) | 2 |
| Ease of handling and adjustment (/5) | 5 |
| Movement control proceeded by the Manufacture / horlogical awards (/3) | 0 |
| Power reserve (/2) | 1 |
| Complications (/5) | 1 |
| Finishing (/20) | 12.5 |
| Dial finishing (/6) | 4 |
| Case finishing (/6) | 5 |
| Quality of garnishment / caseback engraving quality (/2) | 1 |
| Crystal quality (/4) | 2 |
| Clasp finishing (inner and extern) (/2) | 0.5 |
| Functionality (/20) | 10.5 |
| Diurnal legibility (/5) | 4 |
| Night legibility (/4) | 0 |
| Water resistance (/3) | 0.5 |
| Strap : ease of size adjustment + ease of substitution (/4) | 3 |
| Clasp : quality and safety (/4) | 3 |
| Additional items (/10) | 4 |
| Limited edition (/3) | 0 |
| Watch delivered with several straps (/2) | 0 |
| Quality of the watch box (/1) | 1 |
| Portability with shirtsleeves buttoned (/2) | 1 |
| Goodies included (/1) | 1 |
| Understandability of the brochure (/1) | 1 |
| Value for money (/15) | 14 |
| When to wear it ? | Each day you're not in a hurry! |
A peaceful time reading experience
With the desire to go against the grain with all the brands trying to replicate the continuous passing of time with a seconds’ hand as fluid as possible, MeisterSinger offers watches free of this stressful time indicator.
The brand goes even further by also removing the minutes’ hand.
But what heavy technical modification makes this marvel possible?
It’s of course quite simple, as the pictures clearly attest: you remove two hands (minutes and seconds) to leave only the hours one remaining. You then add the necessary graduations to generate five-minute increments.
And, voila!
Far removed from the stresses of modern life
When presented in this manner, this simplification may appear a little cold, even frustrating…
– What do you mean? You’re taking away the hands, but still want me to purchase this? What a rip-off!
But, once you take it in, you realize that this technically-simple modification allows a reading of the passing of time that is truly different and soothing.
Far from the excitement of modern life, this MeisterSinger allows you the luxury of taking your time.
Because it is indeed the prerogative of those who are not in a hurry to be able to live to the rhythm of five minutes relative precision.
And if this reading may seem a little disturbing at first glance, it ends up being rather simple on a day-to-day basis, and it quickly becomes quite pleasing to witness time go by in such quiet manner.
The model that we tested is moreover equipped with a chronograph, itself also in a simplified version.
It only has a simple direct-drive for the seconds and a sub-dial totaling 30 minutes.
It’s like having a pair of crutches in case you truly need to precisely measure a short time span.
A simple and elegant dress watch
From the perspective of presentation, the delivered grey dial warm ruthenium-type is well-executed, with a nice finish on the case, alternating between polished and brushed.
The overall watch is elegant and very simple.
The “point” hands are also extremely simple, bordering on the minimalism that is deliberately displayed by this Singular.
Finally, staying in the spirit of a classic dress watch, the grained alligator wristband has a nice grey tone in perfect harmony with the dial and the initialed pin buckle.
Movement mechanism
This moderation could easily border on snobbery… but nothing could be further from the truth!
As proof, MeisterSinger doesn’t try to hide under various internal artifacts the source of its “entrails”.
We are thus in the presence of a classic movement Valjoux 7750 with a high-end finish from ETA, clearly displayed by MeisterSinger.
And staying with the current fashion trends, this movement is visible through a transparent back.
On the other hand, the downside of a 7750 is the thickness of the case…
The MeisterSinger is no exception to that rule, which makes it a rather thick watch for a dress watch.
Still, this problem is visually mitigated by a case with a 43mm diameter which gives the watch relatively balanced proportions.
What to remember
With its Singular model, MeisterSinger gives us, through an original and elegant watch, a poetic way to measure time, far removed from the surgical to-the-second precision which can sometimes infect our lives…
It’s a smart move, as this role can be transferred to our cell phones, thus leaving to the mechanical world the parts that are the most fun and useless, and therefore the most indispensable!
