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Not too way back, I expressed my frustration concerning watch manufacturers with no historical past of releasing sports activities watches with an built-in bracelet. I wrote, amongst different issues, “get a grip in your FOMO, embrace the JOMO, and do one thing else, please.” As I anticipated, I used to be not alone in my view. One of many feedback learn: “I completely love built-in bracelet watches, however I can see your grievance. There aren’t solely too many, however some are faux-integrated bracelets.” The article additionally reached MeisterSinger HQ within the German metropolis of Münster. I obtained an electronic mail asking if I wished to do a hands-on with the brand new Kaenos I discussed within the article. Possibly it could change my ideas on the matter. I stated “sure,” and some days later, the watch arrived. I began giving the MeisterSinger Kaenos Open Date a go, and listed below are my findings.
Sure, it’s very presumptuous to put in writing an article titled “Cease Releasing Sports activities Watches With Built-in Bracelets” In some circumstances it’s not as a result of the watches are to not my style—the Czapek Antarctique, H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner, and Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF, are beautiful watches, as are the Hermès Minimize and the Christopher Ward “The Twelve”—however it’s as a result of they’ve spoiled us for selection. Throughout this yr’s Watches and Wonders, I skilled firsthand that when model “X” confirmed me one thing with an built-in bracelet, I began to frown and instantly turned skeptical. The precise reverse occurred when a watch with a traditional strap was offered. You need names? Okay, I’ll provide you with one. The Piaget Polo 79 in white gold didn’t excite me, however the Andy Warhol Clou De Paris with a blue meteorite dial had me all labored up—Finest in present in case you ask me.
Giving the MeisterSinger Kaenos Open Date a go
It’s time to deal with the MeisterSinger Kaenos Open Date now. Let’s get the info out of the best way earlier than specializing in the impression it makes. Meistersinger is a one-handed model. The German watchmaker solely produces watches with one hand to inform time. The thought is {that a} single slow-moving hand tells time extra relaxedly than timepieces with minute and second palms. This has develop into a well known and simply recognizable signature for the model, and I do know that the model has a loyal and enthusiastic following within the Netherlands. The model has been in enterprise since 2001. Nonetheless, the ten-watch Kaenos assortment—4 common variations and 4 Open Date fashions in 4 dial colours, plus two restricted editions in collaboration with Alain Silberstein—consists of the model’s first-ever watches with built-in bracelets.
The watch that made its approach to Fratello HQ is the black-dialed MeisterSinger Kaenos Open Date (Ref. KSOD902) in its metal 40mm barrel-shaped case. The brushed case is 100m waterproof, has polished accents, is 11.5mm thick, and is 47 mm lug-to-lug. The sapphire crystal over the matte black sandwich dial has an AR coating. The luminous decrease plate reveals the hour markers, a luminous central hand tells/suggests the time, and a central disc reveals the date. The automated Sellita SW200 caliber with 38 hours of energy reserve ticks contained in the case.
How to take a look at the MeisterSinger Kaenos Open Date
It’s solely logical for the bracelet to be some of the eye-catching parts of a sports activities watch with an built-in bracelet. The Kaenos’ bracelet, outfitted with a folding clasp with push-buttons, is brushed with polished accents and outstanding mid-links. It screams Laureato and Ingenieur, and due to this fact claims all of your consideration. Too dangerous, because the dial deserves all the eye it might get. The sandwich development is a pleasant contact. It provides depth, and it tells of an effort. The hassle MeisterSinger made to create one thing fascinating and stunning.
The model didn’t take a shortcut however took the street much less traveled, and it paid off. The Arabic numerals and indices that mark the hours uplift the dial. The date disc, which activates a degree beneath the dial, additionally works nicely. The combo of the 2 creates a delicate sense of depth.
Nonetheless, the educated watch eye will most likely have hassle understanding the bracelet’s design. The dial is so authentic with its single hand, which is dominant and suitably outsized, and different beautiful and delicate particulars that it deserves a greater bracelet. Since I’m not a watch and/or bracelet designer, I can’t exactly inform you or MeisterSinger what sort of bracelet I’d have most well-liked. Nonetheless, it may be achieved by a few of the bracelets of different manufacturers releasing comparable sorts of watches. On a constructive be aware, the case and bracelet are really built-in, not faux-integrated. That does depend for one thing.
Who desires a MeisterSinger Kaenos?
Whereas carrying and liking the MeisterSinger Kaenos Open Date for some time, I puzzled who the watch’s audience is. Earlier than answering that query, I need to admit that the Kaenos Open Date appears good on the wrist and wears relatively properly. The bracelet is much less outstanding whereas wrapped across the wrist, and the dial steps into the limelight.
Does the idea of a luxurious sports activities watch, a dynamic do-all each day beater with model, match the one-hand philosophy that’s not about high-paced dwelling? I is likely to be overthinking right here, however I’d are likely to reply the query with a “no.” I additionally don’t suppose I’m the audience—I’ve seen an excessive amount of, so to talk. However I’m fairly certain MeisterSinger homeowners/followers/collectors are happy with a extra sporty watch from their favourite model. I’ll evaluate MeisterSinger with one other German watch model, A. Lange & Söhne from Glashütte. The model developed the Odysseus for Lange homeowners who additionally wished to put on a timepiece from their favourite watchmaker on the weekend whereas they engaged in leisure actions comparable to boating on the lake. The Kaenos is MeisterSinger’s Odysseus!
Remaining phrases on the Kaenos
In a sea of sporty watches with an built-in bracelet, the possibilities that a big, new viewers will choose up the MeisterSinger Kaenos appear slim. That stated, the truth that it lately received the 2025 iF Design Award actually places some wind in its sails. The model derived the watch’s title from the Greek phrase “kainos,” which suggests new, as in recent, implying the Kaenos is authentic and strange sufficient to draw and seduce an untapped viewers. I’m wondering if the MeisterSinger title and model notion are sturdy sufficient to influence an viewers that needs an built-in sports activities watch, a timepiece that usually acts as a standing image or flash piece? It may not must, as a result of if each present MeisterSinger proprietor buys the sporty watch from the beloved model to fill the void, the Kaenos might already be a industrial success.
Concluding, seasoned watch followers with a way of historical past and a broad scope may not have an interest within the new Kaenos. Nonetheless, MeisterSinger created a dial that makes this competitively-priced watch stand out in a sea of luxurious sports activities watches with an built-in bracelet. It’s too dangerous the ocean has grown into an ocean, making it tough to be “rescued.” Subsequently, though I recognize and acknowledge sure thought-through and distinctive design parts, I nonetheless suppose the Kaenos shouldn’t be a creation that the watch world couldn’t do with out. MeisterSinger followers are welcome to disagree and put their cash the place their love is. What are your ideas? Please let me know within the feedback.
