MeisterSinger Primatic
The MeisterSinger Primatic subscribes to the brand’s single-handed approach to displaying hours and minutes. However, this particular model also features a date display, a power-reserve indicator and a new 41.5mm case, a first for the Münster-based brand. Angus Davies spends several days hands-on with two versions of the watch, one with a black dial and a second with an ivory dial.
Many devotees of fine watchmaking appreciate ‘complications’. This term describes those functions on a watch that are additional to the proclamation of hours and minutes. Personally speaking, I find this area of horology fascinating. Chronographs, perpetual calendars, GMTs, tourbillons and minute repeaters are just some of the delights on offer that engage with both hearts and minds, albeit numerous indications can sometimes clutter a dial, overwhelm the senses and inhibit ease of read-off.
MeisterSinger, the luxury watch brand based in Münster, will forever be associated with single-handed timepieces. With one lone hand acting like a music conductor’s baton, it summons one voice to sing both the hours and minutes.
Recently, the German marque released a new model, the Primatic, and unusually for a MeisterSinger watch, it has a couple of backing singers contributing to the overall performance, namely a date display at 3 o’clock and a power-reserve indicator at the base of the dial.
Medium blue sunburst (PR918), Petrol green sunburst (PR919), Ivory (PR903) and Black (PR902)
The MeisterSinger Primatic is available in four dial colours. As stated earlier, my press samples included a black dial variant as well as an ivory-toned option. Both colours are neutral in nature and readily complement a variety of differently-hued garments.
However, there is a part of me that would have loved to have worn the petrol green and medium blue models. These bold tones exhibit a note of fun, a dash of style and more than a soupçon of individuality.
Certainly, the array of dial shades on offer encompasses both the ‘safe’ and the ‘daring’ and should therefore suit a broad cross-section of the watch-buying public.
Dial composition
The colour-coordinated combined hour and minute hand is elongated with a needle-like profile. It points to Arabic numerals, presented in two-digit form, and intermediate markings arranged at 5-minute, 15-minute and 30-minute intervals. In addition, 30-minute and 1-hour intervals are shown on a separate track, positioned on an outer dial ring/flange.
Having worn numerous MeisterSinger models over the years, I am very familiar with the firm’s distinctive method of showing the time. It is surprisingly simple to assimilate the combined hour and minutes hand. Indeed, the single hand proves intuitive to use.
A circular aperture, positioned at 3 o’clock, reveals the date. It is framed with a gleaming circlet, introducing a tasteful dose of brilliance to the dialscape. The date disc perfectly matches the main dial epidermis, upholding horological etiquette – clearly, no one-size-fits-all penny-pinching here!
The aforementioned power-reserve indicator is located in the lower portion of the dial. It features an arcing, graduated scale, positioned between 5 and 7 o’clock, indicating the tension of the mainspring in a simple to interpret format.
During my time with the MeisterSinger Primatic, I found the dial effortless to read. Despite having more indications than some MeisterSinger models, the dial of the Primatic remains uncluttered. Moreover, the scale of the watch, 41.5mm in diameter, means that every constituent part of the dial has room to breathe, augmenting readability.
A new case size for MeisterSinger – 41.5mm
When it comes to watches, the notion of size is inextricably linked with personal taste. Indeed, after taking into account the circumference of the wrist, many consumers will select a watch purely on the specified diameter of its case. The only problem with taking this approach is that two cases with the same diameter can look and feel very different from one another once affixed to the wrist.
The case of the MeisterSinger Primatic measures 41.5mm in diameter, a new case size for the brand. On paper it is a tad larger than the trendy 39 – 40mm sizes many blogs seem obsessed with of late. But, place the Primatic upon the wrist and it feels a little smaller than its stated measurements suggest. The reason for this can be attributed to the design of the lugs which arc downwards and do not unduly project from the watch head. Furthermore, the lugs ergonomically hug the wrist, contributing to the model’s impressive wearer comfort.
Beyond its ‘vital statistics’, the case contributes to the watch’s handsome appearance. MeisterSinger has positioned both satin-brushed and polished surfaces adjacent to one another, delivering a harmonious ensemble. Furthermore, the German marque has clearly noted changes in societal behaviour and recognised that many consumers are becoming increasingly mindful of animal welfare. As a result, the new Primatic is supplied on a ‘vegan leather’ strap enlivened with contrasting stitching.
The Sellita SW270 automatic movement
MeisterSinger has turned to the Swiss movement specialists Sellita and selected its SW 270 automatic movement for the Primatic’s power unit. Sellita, a firm known for making precise and reliable movements, is the ‘biggest independent, family-run supplier of mechanical movements in Switzerland’. It supplies movements to several other watch brands and its products can be readily repaired and serviced by legions of watchmakers located around the globe.
The Primatic features an exhibition caseback, affording views of the self-winding movement. And, it’s a very attractive view, with colimaçon on the mainplate, automatic device bridge and oscillating mass. This horological dish is garnished with numerous blued screws, a delightful touch normally the preserve of costlier timepieces.
An index regulator is used to alter the effective length of the hairspring, making the watch run faster or slower. The balance has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and the movement contains 26 jewels. Assuming the mainspring is fully tensioned (something you will be able to ascertain with just one glance at the power-reserve indicator), the watch will run autonomously for 38 hours.
The fermata – a different mindset
In the early part of this article, I made several references to music. MeisterSinger, as its name suggests, has repeatedly looked to the world of music when creating products. The company’s logo, a ‘fermata’ is presented on the vertical flank of the crown and is used to indicate a note lasting longer than normal with its duration determined by the performer.
The ‘fermata’ succinctly conveys the brand’s philosophy: ‘It’s not the minutes and seconds that count – it’s the moment’. The Primatic invites the wearer to view life differently and question the wisdom of perpetually rushing from one place to the next and obsessing about every nano-second. Viewing life as a series of 5-minute parcels of time engenders a sense of calm, a rare commodity in today’s world.
Closing remarks
The MeisterSinger Primatic proves simple to read and comfortable to wear. Furthermore, its Sellita movement promises accuracy, reliability and ease of servicing. And yet, surprisingly, despite having all of these virtues, the Primatic remains attractively priced at £2190 (RRP as of 11.8.2022). The only question relates to the dial colour, play it safe or dare to be different, either way, you won’t be disappointed.
Further reading
https://www.meistersinger.com/
Technical specification
- Model: MeisterSinger Primatic
- Reference: Medium blue sunburst (PR918), Petrol green sunburst (PR919), Ivory (PR903) and Black (PR902)
- Case: Diameter 41.5mm; water resistance 5ATM (50 metres); sapphire crystal to front; exhibition case back.
- Functions: Hours and minutes with a single-hand; date; power-reserve indicator
- Movement: Sellita SW270; self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 26 jewels; power reserve 38 hours.
- Strap: Vegan leather strap paired with a stainless steel pin buckle
- Price: £2,190 – (RRP as of 12.8.2022)