Review with live pics of the MeisterSinger Astroscope Special AS902Y, a 200-piece limited edition with yellow accents. Price €2,190
MeisterSinger unveiled today a special version of its Astroscope single-hand watch, characterized by a striking combination of black, yellow, and white.
We hade the opportunity to preview and test this limited edition before its launch and we are now delighted to share our pictures and insights.
In addition to the peculiarity of displaying the time by means of a single hand, like most timepieces of the German brand, the Astroscope also indicates the day of the week, and in a fun and original way, i.e. by associating each day to the heavenly body that gives it its name.
Most languages derive the names of the days of the week from the classical planets in Hellenistic astrology, which originated in Mesopotamia. Emperor Constantine the Great incorporated this astrological system into the Roman calendar in the 4th century, assigning the following sequence and names to the days of the week:
Dies Solis (Sun) ☉
Dies Lunae (Moon) ☽
Dies Martis (Mars) ♂
Dies Mercurii (Mercury) ☿
Dies Jovis (Jupiter) ♃
Dies Veneris (Venus) ♀
Dies Saturni (Saturn) ♄
This new system spread throughout the Roman Empire and was later adopted, with some modifications, in many parts of Western Europe. For instance, in the Germanic languages, including Old English, the names of four of the Roman gods were changed to those of the corresponding Germanic gods.
The Astroscope watch displays the days of the week using the classical symbols of the celestial bodies associated with each day, arranged in a unique constellation pattern that shifts back and forth.
Thanks to its colours and layout, the dial is very attractive with bright white and sunny yellow elements.
Its surface is not flat but alternates convex and concave surfaces that add depth to the ensemble. Above the circular date window and the MeisterSinger logo there is an intimated horizon, enhancing the impression of looking up at the sky.
The only hand of the Astroscope sweeps over the 12 hours divided by 144 markers, each representing 5 minutes. Reading the time in this way is easy once you get accustomed to the philosophy of a more relaxed way to consider the passing of time
The hand, the numeral and the symbols of the days of the week are treated with a white luminescent coating that emits a blue glow if the dial was previously exposed to artificial or natural light. The baton indexes and the names of the days glow in yellow creating a contrast that improves readability
A yellow dot appears on Monday at about 12 o’clock at the Moon symbol and the next day to the right at the Mars symbol. On Wednesday it appears next to Mercury at about 9 o’clock; on Thursday next to Jupiter at 3 o’clock, and so on.
The dot appearing next to the day of the week only apparently jumps back and forth. In reality, under the dial a large weekday disk with a number of bright dots on it moves from one day to the next moving in a circle.
When filled, the small indicator placed above the centre of the dial confirms that the day of the week has been correctly set.
Crafted from stainless steel with a polished finish and equipped with a domed sapphire crystal, the 40 mm x 10.5 mm round case sits very comfortably on the wrist thanks to the slightly curved lugs and a super-soft calfskin strap in a yellow that perfectly matches the dial accents.
The extra-large crown is adorned with an embossed MeisterSinger logo - the musical notation for a pause. Water-resistance is guaranteed up to a pressure of 5 bar (approximately 50 metres / 165 feet).
Visible through the sixfold screwed glass exhibition back, the self-winding movement is based on the highly reliable Sellita SW 220-1 and customized with MeisterSinger finishes that include the engraving of the company's logo on the rotor.
Beating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and equipped with an Incabloc antishock system, it offers a power reserve of 38 hours.
The imprint "One of 200" on the glass exhibition back emphasizes that only 200 pieces manufactured of this model will be manufactured.
Limited to just 200 pieces, the new MeisterSinger Astroscope Special AS902Y has a retail price of Euro 2,190, in line with the high manufacturing quality of the timepiece, its original complication and a truly unique look. The Astroscope is also available in other variations. meistersinger.com
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