MeisterSinger Edition Best Friends
The MeisterSinger Edition Best Friends builds on the success of the German brand’s limited edition model of 2021, the Edition Planet Earth. Once again, a proportion of the sales proceeds will be donated to WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature). The dial unites the company’s single-hand watch formula with a colourful representation of the Earth and a poetic depiction of the moon. Recently, Angus Davies spent a few days getting ‘hands-on’ with this highly original timepiece.
As I look out of my office window and stare at the snow-clad ground, it’s very easy to dismiss talk of global warming. However, while many individuals have become apathetic to climate change, choosing to look the other way is not an option. Besides the concerns of extreme weather and polluted skies, the natural world has fallen victim to deforestation, hunting, seas cluttered with plastic waste, etc.
Last year (2021), MeisterSinger released the Edition Planet Earth, a model we featured on our website at the time. Subscribing to the brand’s single-hand watch formula and released at the same time MeisterSinger was celebrating its 20th anniversary, the timepiece proved popular.
Like many individuals and companies, the German marque looked to the 26th UN Climate Change Conference held in Glasgow with a sense of optimism. Evidently, MeisterSinger wanted to play a role in conserving the planet and specifically helping to preserve the natural world. It elected to support the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) by collaborating with its ‘business partners’, donating €200 for every Edition Planet Earth watch sold.
This year, the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) was held in Egypt. While some attendees expressed frustration at the progress made at the conference, many individuals and companies continue to show their commitment to environmental causes. For its part, MeisterSinger has collaborated with WWF again, this time releasing the Edition Best Friends.
Once again, the Westphalian watch company has freely disclosed that, working in collaboration with its retailers, it will donate €250 for every MeisterSinger Edition Planet Earth that is sold.
However, beyond its obvious philanthropic merits, this model has many horological virtues. With this in mind, I obtained a loan watch from the luxury marque and wore the model for a number of days.
The Single-hand watch
The Edition Best Friends employs a single hand to impart the hours and minutes. This means of articulating the time is not new. Indeed, back in 1796, Abraham-Louis Breguet released his now-famous ‘souscription watch’, a pocket watch endowed with a lone hand indicating the hours and minutes.
Over the years, I have worn several MeisterSinger timepieces and, contrary to what some may think, they have always proved intuitive to read. The white hand on this model resembles an elongated isosceles triangle and features a supremely slender tip that points to the combined hour/minutes track with laser-like precision.
Stratoscope
MeisterSinger devotees will note the similarities between the Edition Best Friends and the brand’s Stratoscope model. Indeed, the Edition Best Friends even mentions ‘Stratoscope’ on the dial. However, the MeisterSinger Edition Best Friends eschews the date aperture usually found at 6 o’clock.
This environmentally-conscious watch features a depiction of the Earth in bright tones. Occupying a significant proportion of the dial, it will undoubtedly polarise opinion. Personally speaking, I find the representation of the Earth imbues the dial with a highly original and eye-catching appearance. However, those readers of a more conservative persuasion may wish to consider the regular Stratoscope or, indeed, one of the marques’ other single-hand creations.
In the northern hemisphere of the dial, an arc-shaped aperture reveals a photorealistic depiction of the moon. The level of detail on this moon phase display is remarkable, while its sheer vastness conveys meaning in a simple to understand format.
MeisterSinger limited edition watch
The MeisterSinger Edition Best Friends is limited to just 250 pieces, hence it is unlikely that when attending a party you will see another person wearing the same watch. The German brand seems very adept at producing exclusive watches that are also surprisingly affordable.
Housed in a stainless steel case measuring 43mm, the watch is not unduly bulky and will readily slip beneath a cuff when you wish to be discreet. However, expose the watch to your fellow partygoers and the representations of the Earth and moon will inevitably provoke discussion. Nobody could ever accuse this MeisterSinger of being bland.
WWF logo
The case is tastefully executed, harmoniously fusing polished and satin surfaces. The lugs are relatively short, making the case feel smaller than its stated diameter would suggest. To the rear of the watch, an exhibition caseback, adorned with the WWF logo, grants sight of the self-winding movement.
MS Luna movement – Sellita SW220
The MS Luna movement, based on the Sellita SW220, sits at the heart of this MeisterSinger watch. Assuming the mainspring is fully tensioned, the watch will run autonomously for 38 hours.
A watch with a good conscience
The strap affixed to the MeisterSinger Edition Best Friends is described as a ‘vegan leather-look watch’ strap, a detail it shares in common with the Edition Planet Earth of 2021. Presented in dark brown, the strap certainly looks like leather and it shares the same flexible characteristics.
In some parts of the world there is a move away from reptile skins. Indeed, since 2020, it has been illegal to import or own alligator or crocodile leather straps in California. Over the coming years, it will be interesting to see how many other brands choose to offer vegan straps.
FSC-certified cardboard box
MeisterSinger has also given much thought to the packaging of its products. In common with last year’s WWF-themed limited edition, the German firm has elected to supply its watch in an ‘FSC-certified cardboard box, covered with FSC-certified paper both inside and outside. The lid cushion is covered with recycled velour fabric’.
Personally speaking, when I’ve purchased watches in the past from various brands, I’ve noted the cardboard, leather and wooden packaging and questioned whether it is all really necessary, especially as it often spends its life languishing in the back of cupboard, gathering dust.
Closing remarks
As you may have already ascertained, I am a fan of the Münster-based firm. The beauty of a single-hand watch is that you look at time differently. Gone are the days of fretting over seconds, a MeisterSinger gifts meaning in 5-minute parcels of time. Everything is just that little bit more relaxed.
The prominent representation of the Earth may alienate some would-be wearers, however, the German brand has more understated, alternative models to choose from. Nevertheless, I suspect many individuals will appreciate the bold design language and the model’s originality. During my time with MeisterSinger Edition Best Friends, I found the watch simple to read, attractive and comfortable to wear.
However, beyond subjective discussions of aesthetics and personal taste, there can be no arguments about the motives of the brand in releasing this model. Indeed, MeisterSinger has stepped up to the plate and shown its willingness to contribute to the WWF on two separate occasions. It has disclosed what each watch sale means to the WWF and it has shown what can be achieved when there is a desire to make things happen. Hopefully, more companies will follow MeisterSinger’s lead.
Further reading
https://www.meistersinger.com/
Technical specification
- Model: MeisterSinger Edition Best Friends
- Case: stainless steel, diameter 43 mm, sapphire crystal to front and exhibition case back
- Functions: hours and minutes indicated with one hand, large moon phase
- Movement: MS Luna, Sellita SW 220 base, self-winding movement, frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz), power reserve 38 hours
- Strap: dark brown vegan leather-look watch strap
- Price: €4,250 (RRP as of 14.12.2022)