MeisterSinger Perigraph “Mellow Yellow” Limited Edition

Who says that a single-handed watch can only display the hours? MeisterSinger, the German watch brand from Münster, has been producing single-handed wristwatches with a surprising array of functions. Inspired by man’s invention of sundials, MeisterSinger also takes design cues from the first single-handed mechanical clocks invented in the 14^th century to ring bells at regular intervals. Since 2001, MeisterSinger has developed a universe of original, single-handed, design-winning watches that can provide hours and minutes, day & date, jumping hours, power reserve indicators, chronographs, astronomical complications like the Lunascope and even a recent Sonnerie au Passage. The Perigraph, which appeared in 2013, combines a single central hand to indicate the hours and minutes, and instead of the conventional solution of popping the date in an aperture, the Perigraph features the date on a date ring in the centre of the dial. Visited in a host of colour combinations and even in a bronze case in 2018, this year, the Perigraph returns in a flamboyant yellow suit with contrasting blue accents and a dash of red. Celebrating the brand’s twentieth anniversary, the MeisterSinger Perigraph Mellow Yellow will be limited to 200 pieces.

Perigraph Mellow Yellow

The name of this watch is derived from the Greek ‘graph’ to write and ‘peri’ for around or surrounding. In other words, the date ring rotates around the centre of the dial. Like other Perigraphs, the case is 43mm and is made from stainless steel with a large crown and a screwed-down exhibition caseback with 50m water-resistance. The height of the case is 11mm, and the polished surfaces gleam like mirrors contrasting with the brushed case sides. The lugs are short and sit well on smaller wrists, while the thin bezel is designed to provide a generous view of the dial.

Reading the time on any MeisterSinger watch takes a few seconds to master. The hours, all written in double digits for symmetrical considerations, are separated by 144 markers, each marker representing an increment of five minutes. The bolder markers represent 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour. On this special commemorative 20^th anniversary model, the white Arabic numerals representing the hours are displayed on a metallic blue background, while the minutes are featured on a yellow peripheral flange with four red markings at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. The long white central hand has a thin, red needle-like tip that lands on the peripheral minutes track perfectly.

The open date wheel is an elegant solution and dispenses with the problematic date window that seems to irk so many purists. Slightly recessed from the time indications, the date ring rotates, and the red triangular pointer indicates the current date. The date ring is also yellow and features the odd numbers of the month in black, separated by red markings. Another quirky detail that makes the watch stand out is the combination of a yellow suede leather strap complete with casual white stitching just above the lugs.

Classic Automatic calibre

Although the brand has developed a proprietary movement (MSH01) in 2016 for its family of Circularis models and modules for other movements, the MeisterSinger Perigraph Mellow Yellow is powered by a Swiss Sellita SW 200-1 automatic movement with a frequency of 4Hz and a 38h power reserve. Surrounded by a thick steel ring held in place with six screws and engraved with the limited edition number x/200, the window reveals the standard finishes of the movement, including thick Geneva stripes on the rotor. Obviously, the date will have to be adjusted throughout the year, and the crown has two positions: the first to advance the date and the second to stop the movement and adjust the single hand.

Availability & Price

The MeisterSinger Perigraph Mellow Yellow is limited to 200 pieces, only for the year 2021, and will be available mid-June for a retail price of EUR 1,790. For more information, please visit meistersinger.com.