Introducing the new Meistersinger Stratoscope Moon Phase

“Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars” as the saying goes, and that is certainly true for German watchmaker, Meistersinger, who has launched the new, hypnotizing single-handed Stratoscope Moon Phase watch – the brand’s first-ever timepiece to feature an oversized luminous moon and central hand, displaying a true representation of the moon’s position as it is seen lit up in the night sky each evening.

Meistersinger began its life as a brand known for its single-hand watches, also known as its mono-aiguille models before a dip into the day-date complication proved a success with loyal fans. Following this was a play with chronographs then astronomical indications and not so long ago - the Sonnerie au Passage Bell Hora watch. But new for this year’s Watches & Wonders 2021 event, Meistersinger has unveiled its Stratoscope Moon Phase watch – a timepiece that features a radiant, glowing moon phase display that can be enjoyed alongside the watchmaker’s simplified single-handed dial concept. Meet the new 43mm steel Meistersinger Stratoscope Moon Phase watch.

For some, a beautifully crafted timekeeping instrument blended with a complication that replicates the positioning of the moon is considered a very special thing. The moon has, of course, fascinated mankind for millennia, helping us to navigate the earth and the seas. But what if a watch manufacturer, synonymous with creating a unique timekeeping concept, was then to release an equally unusual moon phase function that looked different to anything else on the current market? Well – that just happened…

The new Meistersinger Stratosphere Moon Phase watch emulates the appearance of the aurora borealis. The northern region of the dial is occupied by a large representation of the moon in a celestial-inspired design that, once again, invites the wearer to see the world differently, just as the brand’s single-handed concept does. A photorealistic image of the Earth’s natural satellite is depicted in the large moon phase display, shaded in varying tones of grey and set against a transitioning black-to-blue dial. This remarkable work of art alone creates a sense of depth, enticing the focus away from the smaller details – the passing seconds of the day – the main intention behind the design of Meistersinger’s single-handed dial released in 2001.

Meistersinger may remove hands from its dials but it certainly doesn’t cut corners, and where other brands may truncate the moon phase cycle to 29.5 days as opposed to its full 29 days, 12 hours and 44 minutes - Meistersinger doesn’t. It instead calculates the moon’s cycle precisely, thus only needing to be adjusted once after 128 years. In terms of the rest of the dial, one lone needle-fine hand does the work of all three, conversing with the equally-as-fine minute markers and the Arabic numeral hour indexes around the edge of the dial. The brand believes that the need to obsess over the small intervals of time is unnecessary – in other words “don’t sweat the small stuff”. The Meistersinger Stratoscope is designed in the faithful style of the brand’s former single-handed dials, encouraging the wearer to instead enjoy the passage of time in a more relaxed manner – something that is very easy to do in this design, executed in a stunning deep blue-to-black gradient dial. The northern hemisphere of the dial is jet black, melting into a midnight blue colour towards the middle, and turning to lighter shades of blue where the date aperture resides at 6 o’clock.

A liberal dose of luminescent material has been given to the central hands, the Arabic numerals and the five-minute increment indexes, but more importantly, the moon, which glows majestically throughout the night. Also - presented in block capitals sans serifs for the first time -  the “Stratoscope” and “Automatic” lettering takes on a different typography.

The satin-brushed and polished stainless steel case of the new Meistersinger Stratoscope Moon Phase watch measures a 43mm diameter on the wrist, with lugs that sharply taper downwards to echo the contours of the wrist closely. The polished crown certainly augments a sense of refinement and elegance as does its two-stitch vintage saddle leather strap in brown. This supple strap looks classic and timeless on the wrist, finishing the design of the Meistersinger Stratoscope Moon Phase watch very tastefully and enclosing with a stainless steel folding clasp. Inside the case of the watch is a movement based on the Sellita SW 220. This modified self-winding movement goes by the name of the “MS Luna”, propelling at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and providing a power reserve of 38 hours. Its performance, complete with traditional hand-applied decorative finishes, is put on show behind a sapphire crystal glass exhibition feature.

Overview of the new Meistersinger Stratoscope Moon Phase watch

No matter how many times Meistersinger pays homage to its instantly recognizable single-handed dial design, the concept never grows old. The manufacturer always manages to inject a sense of uniqueness and exclusivity into each design, coupled with the fact that this is yet another thought-provoking watch from the German specialist. Contemplating time is something that we should all be doing more of but even more so with a superior instrument like the Meistersinger Stratoscope strapped to the wrist – a romantic, charm-filled watch with lasting appeal.

For more information on the new Meistersinger Stratoscope, Moon Phase watch you can check out all its features here, or call a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453

Technical specifications of the Meistersinger Stratoscope Moon Phase watch

• Case: 43mm – Stainless steel – satin-brushed and polished – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – sapphire exhibition caseback – polished crown – satin-brushed caseband – tapering lugs – 50-meter water-resistant
• Dial: Graduating black-to-blue dial – single hand – Arabic numeral hour track – detailed minute scale – luminous hand, Arabic numerals and five-minute indexes – date window at 6 o’clock – oversized central moon phase feature with luminous photorealistic moons
• Movement – MS Luna Calibre – self-winding – based on the Sellita SW 220 – modified with Meistersinger module for moon phase display -  28,800 v.p.h – 38-hour power reserve
• Strap: Vintage saddle leather – brown – cream contrast stitching - stainless steel folding clasp
• Price: £3,690
• Reference; ST982