In celebration of their 20th anniversary, Meistersinger have paired their discernible single-handed dial with a brand new complication: the ‘Sonnerie au passage’. Designed to chime, just the once, at every hour, the new Meistersinger Bell Hora watch beautifully embodies the German watch manufacturers appreciation for original timekeeping techniques and it seems to have already proved its worth with its freshly received Red Dot award.
Since their founding in 2001, Meistersinger has had an unshakeable admiration for the strength in simplicity. Their unique single-handed watches take inspiration from some of the world’s first timekeeping instruments like the sundial and hourglass, with these primordial designs reflected in the non-fussy singular hand which points to one of 144 markers around the dial. In the new Meistersinger Bell Hora watch, this concept is taken one step further, combined with yet another practically forgotten complication, the “Sonnerie au passage”. Inspired by historic timekeeping instruments that did not have dials or hands, but relied entirely on chiming the time, the Meistersinger Bell Hora chimes once at every full hour.
When translated from German, the name Meistersinger literally means “master singer” so the inclusion of a chiming complication seems perfectly fitting for the brand’s collections. But rather than the chiming clocks we are all most familiar with which rely on you to count the bells to know the hour, the Meistersinger Bell Hora watch chimes just the once. The German watch manufacturer wanted the design not to be an alarm or a countdown, but a simple indication of the flow of time and the passing of another hour.
The Meistersinger Bell Hora and its unique chiming complication is powered by the MS Bell calibre based on the Sellita SW 200 employed with a jumping hour module. Instead, rather than the jump of an hour disk, the module is modified to trigger the strike of a hammer located behind the dial, alerting the wearer of the passing hour with a single chime. For those occasions when silence is warranted, Meistersinger have ensured that the wearer can switch off the sound by utilising the pusher above the crown. A black marker indicates whether the watch is going to chime on the hour or remain quiet.
Alongside its chiming complication, the Meistersinger Bell Hora watch places great emphasis on simplistic timekeeping as shown through the single need-shaped hand at the centre and double digit numerals. There are currently two Meistersinger Bell Hora watches to choose from, the first under reference BHO913 features natural ivory coloured dial with a black central hand and a dark brown leather strap. The second reference, BHO908, showcases a stunning sunburst blue dial with white detailing and a golden brown leather strap.
Both designs showcase a unique spiral-shaped geometry on the dial inspired by the flow of time and are lined in polished stainless steel. The cases measure to 43mm in diameter and 12.95mm in height and are equipped with exhibition case backs secured by 4 screws, a non-screw locked crown, stainless steel folding buckles, sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment and are water resistant to 50 metres. The MS Bell automatic winding calibre within each Meistersinger Bell Hora watch also delivers a power reserve of 38 hours and beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.
You can order both Meistersinger Bell Hora watches on the Jura Watches website today now available with interest free finance and free delivery. If you’d like to learn more about these watches and other new Meistersinger watch releases, get in touch with the team on 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: Meistersinger Bell Hora Watches (BHO913, BHO908)
- Case Size: 43mm
- Case Material: Polished stainless steel
- Bezel: Fixed
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Crown: Non-screw down
- Water Resistance: 50 metres
- Movement: MS Bell, base Sellita SW 200, automatic winding
- Functions: Hour indication with hourly chime au passage (with on-off function)
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Jewels: 26
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Natural ivory or sunburst blue
- Strap: Leather
- Buckle: Folding
- RRP: £3,490
- Release Date: 8th April 2021
