ReviewSeize The Week With The New MeisterSinger Astroscope—A Special New Addition To The Series

It’s quite an achievement when a brand can create products that can be identified at a fleeting glance. With their signature one-hand watches that let the wearer enjoy time in a slightly more relaxed manner, MeisterSinger have already attained that glory. What’s intriguing now is what else they do to make the timepieces look extra special. This time around, the answer can be found in the display. The German brand’s second astronomical line, after the success of the Lunascope, the Astroscope weaves quite a tale. It dives into the origins of the days of the week and comes up with a stunning presentation of this inspiration. The timepiece was earlier available with the dial in grey or bluish grey, and accents in beige or blue, respectively. Subsequently, they launched another version that came with a bright blue dial, where the numerals and astronomical symbols were presented in luminous yellow. This, along with the luminous hand, ensure that the wearer can tell the time with the Astroscope even when it’s dark. Limited to 100 pieces only, the new model was paired with a super-soft calfskin strap in a vibrant yellow that beautifully complemented the graphic depictions on the dial.

Sunny Days In 2023

In 2023, MeisterSinger have unveiled yet another special edition of the Astroscope, featuring yellow in a prominent way, similar to the edition seen above. This 200-piece limited edition has a dial with a base of black with a sunburst finish, along with accents in sunny yellow. Super-LumiNova on the hands, hour markers, and the days of the week offer an improved visual of the face in the dark.

This 200-piece limited edition has a dial with a base of black with a sunburst finish, along with accents in sunny yellow. There is Super-LumiNova on the hands, hour markers, and the days of the week

The automatic Swiss Sellita SW 220 movement can be seen through the exhibition caseback, which also reveals the words ‘one of 200’ for the limited edition

The automatic Swiss Sellita SW 220 movement can be seen through the exhibition caseback, which also reveals the words ‘one of 200’ for the limited edition. Completing the look of this newest addition to the Astroscope series is the soft calfskin strap in bright yellow.

The Days Of The Week With Added Mystique

While a day is equal to the time taken for the Earth to complete one full rotation on its axis and a year is the duration of the Earth’s complete revolution around the sun, the reason to have seven days in a week is slightly tricky. The Babylonians, who lived in the region that is present-day Iraq, and contributed significantly towards astronomy and astrology, came up with the idea of having seven days in a week. Their calendar aimed to predict the movement of the moon as well as its transition between different phases. Each phase took seven days and helped them manage time effectively by dividing the lunar month into four seven-day weeks. Also, their logic had an element of mysticism attached to it. The number seven was also chosen based on the number of celestial bodies that were visible to the naked eye. The Babylonians considered the number seven to be especially holy and associated it with seven heavenly bodies. From Monday to Sunday, they are as follows, with representative symbols:

Moon ☽, Mars ♂, Mercury ☿, Jupiter ♃, Venus ♀, Saturn ♄, and the Sun ☉

The Meistersinger Astroscope flaunts the names of the days along with their corresponding symbols on the dial.

The element of surprise doesn’t end there. The week’s days are not arranged in order, but in the pattern of a constellation that only occurs every 10 to 12 years in the southern night sky of the northern hemisphere. In this rare occurrence, the five planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—appear simultaneously and are visible in the night sky. While chances are that you may have seen a few of them before separately, the opportunity to get a glimpse of each of them on the same day is sporadic and therefore, special. If the originality of the spectacular idea doesn’t win your respect, the sheer innovativeness of the design will, as it is truly captivating how the asymmetrical shapes on the dial don’t disturb the overall balance of the watch.

Dark Dials For Compelling Contrast

The Astroscope is available in three variants and all sport dark dials mirroring the night sky. A fine serif typeface has been used for the hour numerals. It’s interesting to observe that MeisterSinger have maintained their use of two-digit Arabic numerals, for an overall visual balance of the hour markers. In all versions, the numerals and the symbols share the same colours—blue, ‘old radium’ beige, or yellow—to create a striking contrast against the dark background and the big, white timekeeping hand. The use of a slim bezel works well as the dial remains in focus for any beholder. A white dot appears through the day apertures on the dial, indicating the current day of the week—making it simple to view at a glance. This is owing to the day disc that is behind the dial and has a number of dots on it, which take their place as the day disc moves from one day to the next.

The Astroscope is available in two variants and both sport dark dials representing the night sky

₹2,29,000

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The numerals and the symbols share the same colours to create a striking contrast against the dark background and the large white timekeeping hand

₹2,29,000

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As for the main timekeeping, the 12 hours are divided by 144 markers, each representing five minutes, which helps you to read the minutes, while the brand’s logo is placed right above the circular date window at six o’clock. Owing to a white luminescent coating, the hand, the indices, and the days of the week emit a glow in the dark, aiding readability. The oversized crown comes embossed with the Meistersinger emblem. With all these nuanced details in addition to the novel concept of the watch, it’s no wonder that the timepiece has won prestigious awards, such as the Red Dot Award and the German Design Award. While the Red Dot has become a coveted seal of quality for good design, the latter—established by the German Design Council—talks volumes about the commercial and cultural value of an outstanding design.

The timepiece has won prestigious awards, such as the Red Dot Award and the German Design Award

An Astrophile’s Delight 

The Lunascope’s success had raised the bar for astronomy-inspired watches by the German watchmaker, and this successor lives up to the expectations. The unusual timepiece and its fascinating way of displaying the days of the week will enthral any astrophile. Further to that, a mere look at the watch will get you interested in the history of how the days of the week came to be named, and how the same template was embraced by people all over the world.

Not only does the watch have a high style quotient, the curved lugs and a leather strap ensure that the single-hand watch is extremely comfortable to wear. Set within the 40mm steel case is a Swiss automatic movement—the Sellita SW220 that guarantees a power reserve of 38 hours, and is visible through the six-fold screwed-down glass exhibition back. On the other side, the domed sapphire crystal glass enhances the dial’s aesthetic appeal. This watch is water-resistant up to 50m.

A white dot appears through the day apertures on the dial, indicating the current day of the week—making it simple to read at a glance

₹2,29,000

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Set within the 40mm steel case is a Swiss automatic movement—the Sellita SW220 that guarantees a power reserve of 38 hours, and is visible through the glass exhibition back

₹2,29,000

Check Our Selling Price

Not only does the watch have a high style quotient, the downward-curved lugs ensure that the single-hand watch is extremely comfortable to wear

₹2,29,000

Check Our Selling Price

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There is so much beauty in its conceptualisation that the Astroscope turns out to be effortlessly unique and refreshing. And it would surely make for an excellent conversation starter, at the office or at a soirée. Like every Meistersinger piece, the Astroscope too asks its wearer the philosophical question about how they perceive time. However, it goes a step further and draws their attention towards the genesis of each day of the week that they may be taking for granted.