Operating the Perigraph is exactly what you would expect for a ETA-based watch. The non-screw down crown has two positions and will wind the watch when fully pressed and turned. At position one, turning the crown will advance the date quickly in jumping fashion. In position two, the movement stops and the single hand moves easily and precisely around the dial.
MeisterSinger includes a sapphire case back for this watch and while the periphery of the case back includes the brand name, model, and unique serial number, the movement shown is pretty basic. The rotor includes the MeisterSinger logo which resembles a smiley face with one central eye. The rest of the movement is sparsely decorated with some perlage and blued screws. Nothing extraordinary but also not so plain as to be worth hiding instead.
In practice, the “slowdown of time” that MeisterSinger is quick to point out in their catalog and online material, does actually work, though I imagine that your mileage might vary. In essence, it reminds me of the relativity nature of time, whereby events appear to slow down or move fast when our context varies. Einstein used to give the example of the feeling of time passing by fast when in the presence of someone we love… In this case, the relativistic effect is more analogous to us using the watch hand as a reference, and since the hand moves slowly in unnoticeable fashion, our sense of time seems to also follow suit.
Besides being a unique watch that is modern in its proportion and construction, a really great characteristic of the Perigraph Date and all of MeisterSinger’s lines is the relatively low price point. The MeisterSinger Perigraph Date anthracite which won the 00/24 European Watch of the Year Award in 2012 for the category of watches under 3000 Euros retails for about $1,800. MeisterSinger also produces a model with a silver cream dial, one with a brown dial, and one with a black dial. The initial MeisterSinger one hand watches came in a variety of dial configurations. Some with dates and some without and some at a smaller 38mm case sizes. However, all are priced in the same range as the Perigraph.
Overall, I am happy with the MeisterSinger Perigraph date. It’s the perfect vacationing watch with a unique design and excellent construction worthy of much pricier timepieces. And while nothing but traveling at speeds close to light’s will effectively and necessarily slow down time according to the theory of relativity (time dilation), maybe the closest one can come to achieving this, for a price that anyone can afford, is to wear and enjoy MeisterSinger Perigraph on the wrist… You are also bound to look stylish in the process. Price is $1,800. meistersinger.net
Necessary Data
>Brand: Meistersinger
>Model: Perigraph Date
>Price: $1,800
>Size: 43mm x 11mm (51mm lug to lug)
>Weight: 85g on the leather strap
>Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Anyone looking for a different watch than your typical three-hander to go on vacation. Hoping that time “slows down” as much as possible.
>Worst characteristic of watch: The leather strap with fake alligator patterns. Looks great but fake is fake.
>Best characteristic of watch: The dial. Brilliantly executed on a rare anthracite background.