ReviewDisarmingly Beautiful: Introducing The New MeisterSinger Neo Bordeaux Degradé

Based in Münster, Germany, MeisterSinger are best known for making timepieces with refreshingly different designs. In a market where there is no dearth of watches that exhibit over-the-top embellishments and extravagant details, the timekeepers by the brand have a unique identity of their own, offering minimalistic, understated and clean dials. However, the most distinctive attribute of Meistersiger’s watches is their single-hand display that conveys time in a calm and relaxed manner. Bereft of a minute hand, every edition they create is aesthetically balanced, well-crafted and eye-catching. The brand’s latest offering, the all-new MeisterSinger Neo Bordeaux Dégradé, released to mark their 20th anniversary, follows the same design philosophy but is presented in a brand new deep red—aptly called Bordeaux. Reminiscent of the wine from the vineyards of Bordeaux, France, this vibrant hue adds a sense of depth and nuance to the timepiece and makes it visually appealing. Let’s take a look at the finer details of this new MeisterSinger Neo and what makes it special. 

Harking Back To Simpler Times

Available in 36mm and 40mm case sizes, the Neo Bordeaux Degradé is a pleasing reminder of the 1950s, when things were far simpler. Those were the times when people were still handwriting their letters and invoices, telephones were attached to the cord either at home or in a phone booth, the first mobile phones were still about three decades away, and no one had even dreamt of connecting with the world through the internet. Meanwhile, aesthetically speaking, the 1950s witnessed the advent of pared-down designs that did away with flamboyance and ornate and flashy designs. With the release of this new Neo iteration, MeisterSingher have not only tried to capture the simple design elements of a bygone era but also its simplicity and ingenuousness. 

Available in 36mm and 40mm case sizes, the Neo Bordeaux Degradé is a pleasing reminder of the 1950s, when things were far simpler

A Splash Of Red

Crafted from high-quality stainless steel, the watch is housed in an ergonomically constructed and polished case with a razor-thin bezel that allows a full view of the large dial. Unlike its previous iterations, which mostly came with subtle and understated colours, the new variant of the Neo collection offers a vibrant dash of deep red that is light in the centre and fades to black at the periphery of the dial. This gradient or degradé effect is coupled with a flawless sunburst finish, which makes the watch look bold, radiant and visually arresting. The time is indicated by a single, needle-shaped hand following a timing track printed in white and nestled in the black section of the dial. The 12 hours are divided into 144 markers, each representing five minutes, which helps the wearer to read the minutes if necessary. A circular date window has been added at the six o’clock position while the word ‘neo’ is displayed right above it. 

MeisterSinger Neo SHOP THE COLLECTION

Behind The Red: A Reliable Swiss Movement

Even though Neo Bordeaux Degradé presents an almost retro vibe, and displays time in a relaxed manner—which is MeisterSinger’s idea behind using only single-hand displays—its inner workings are rather modern. The timepiece is equipped with the trusted and reliable automatic movement, Sellita SW200, which has been used by MeisterSinger in several other models also. The movement beats at the frequency of 28,800vph and can run autonomously for up to 38 hours. It is hidden behind a solid caseback that features a beautifully engraved pattern of ‘fermata’ symbols—an indication for a pause in musical notation, which is also MeisterSinger’s emblem. Water-resistant up to 30m, both the variants of the timepiece are paired with a black leather strap with matching stitching.

After introducing several timepieces with earthy warm tones and subtle hues, MeisterSinger have chosen to add a watch that offers a rich and complex dial colour and has a strong presence on the wrist. Overall, the Neo Bordeaux Degradé is a perfect combination of balanced design, reliable Swiss watch technology and the special charm of simplicity.