We introduced the Meistersinger Circularis last year, and were curious to see it in the metal since that release. The brand has been offering the single-hand concept for some time now, and while we're well-briefed on most of the lineup, it was the new MSH01 proprietary movement that caught our eye, naturally.
The dial of the Circularis comes in three configurations – blue sunburst, silver sunburst, and ivory. The sunburst finish nicely accentuates the overall appearance of what is otherwise a very modest timekeeper. Why modest? Well, the Circularis has only one hand, and time can be accurately read only to five-minute increments. That's not a bad thing; it's both minimalist, assertive, and even kind of pragmatic. Meetings always start at such increments, and who needs that much resolution during languorous weeknights or weekends. Overall, legibility is just fine once you get used to the readout.
The case of the Circularis measures in at 43 mm by 12.5 mm. While it is by no means a small watch, I'm still not exactly sure why it wore smaller than its dimensions. I wonder if its minimalism was playing a mind-trick on me and it simply appeared to be smaller.
Around the back we find Meistersinger's headliner movement. This is the MSH01, a proprietary caliber that can also serve as a solid gateway into what should soon become an ever-clarifying discussion on the topic of manufacture watchmaking.
First and foremost, Meistersinger does not claim this movement to be a manufacture caliber; hence the term proprietary. In a way, that's an admirable fact to admit. The original release of the Circularis late last year claimed that Meistersinger had worked with a longstanding Swiss partner in developing the movement and model. We've now been told by the brand that the partner is Synergies Horlogères – a movement maker that recently merged with Christopher Ward.
The manually wound MSH01 can beat at 4Hz (28,800 bph) for five days. That's quite the power reserve thanks to in-series twin barrels that are visible through a symmetrically cut bridge. Finish on the piece is in line with what you'd expect from a proprietary caliber – Geneva stripes and beveled edges decorate it.
The Circularis will also be available in an 18K gold case. This will be a limited release of 24 blue-dialed and 24 silver-dialed models. The MSH01 caliber in each model will also showcase gold plating.
Overall, the Circularis is a solid offering from Meistersinger. It demonstrates the desire to offer exclusive work in rather niche designs. If all goes as planned, projects like the MSH01 will grow within the Meistesinger family and advance the brand's innovative abilities.
The new Meistersinger Circularis will be available in October of this year. The stainless-steel models will be priced at USD $5,695 and the limited gold editions at EUR 14.998.
For more information, visit Meistersinger online.