The New MeisterSinger Perigraph 38mm

MeisterSinger thrives on its popularity for being the benchmark for single-handed watches, but this German brand has several complications to offer alongside its singular indication of time. Across the collections, you can find MeisterSingers with a jumping hour display, power reserve indication, a chiming hour complication, moon phase, day-date and so on. Still, the Perigraph collection of watches with an original open date disc remains one of the most important for the company. This week, the new Perigraph, which has been presented with different dials and case materials over the years, but lately only in the 43mm case, returns with a long-awaited smaller 38mm diameter.

Perigraph gets its name for the Greek, ‘peri’ meaning around and ‘graph’ meaning write. The key feature of the date disc is what the title refers to, as the date is written (printed) around the disc that rotates, with the red triangle above the logo at 12 o’clock pointing to a perfectly aligned mark. The ingenious Perigraph dial design is minimalist but not simple. It is easy to get used to reading the time from a single hand, and the date indication could hardly be any clearer. The disc is recessed and has a full 360-degree display, creating depth to the dial and making it stand out, not just for the single-hand time indication.

The task MeisterSinger took with a 38mm model, in the words of the brand’s founder Manfred Brassler, was to “fine-tune some of the minor details to create the same amazing visual experience” as the 43mm Perigraph owners enjoyed. The difference between the 43mm and the new 38mm versions is minimal; the smaller ones are, well, smaller without compromising the overall design. The bezel is thin, so the dial feels open, and the slightly domed sapphire crystal does not disturb the view. The 38mm stainless steel case with exhibition caseback features the same brushed and polished finishings we find in larger versions. Still, the smaller case diameter will better suit smaller wrists, which is within the current trend.

The Perigraph 38mm is released with three dial colours: a classic ivory dial with black printed indices and a black central time hand; a sunburst blue dial with white elements; and new to the collection, a polished white dial with gold hour digits, a single black hand and black printed indications. Besides noticeable changes, the fine-tuning involved providing the watch with a slender profile, so the 38mm Perigraph uses a Sellita SW300 automatic calibre, which is 1mm thinner than the SW200 found in the larger references.

The Perigraph 38mm is offered on a brown or cognac-coloured leather strap with contrasting stitching and a steel pin buckle; the price is EUR 2,190. The watch will be available in the second quarter of this year.

For more, please visit www.meistersinger.com.