Not too way back, I expressed my frustration relating to 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 criticism. 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 acquired an electronic mail asking if I wished to do a hands-on with the brand new Kaenos I discussed within the article. Perhaps it will change my ideas on the matter. I mentioned “sure,” and some days later, the watch arrived. I began giving the MeisterSinger Kaenos Open Date a go, and listed here are my findings.
Sure, it’s very presumptuous to write down an article titled “Cease Releasing Sports activities Watches With Built-in Bracelets” In some instances 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 attractive watches, as are the Hermès Reduce and the Christopher Ward “The Twelve”—but it surely’s as a result of they’ve spoiled us for selection. Throughout this 12 months’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 grew to become 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—Greatest in present if you happen to ask me.
Giving the MeisterSinger Kaenos Open Date a go
It’s time to give attention to the MeisterSinger Kaenos Open Date now. Let’s get the information out of the way in which 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 arms. This has change into a widely 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 strategy 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 water resistant, 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 have a look at the MeisterSinger Kaenos Open Date
It’s solely logical for the bracelet to be some of the eye-catching components 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 distinguished 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 will probably 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 effectively. The combo of the 2 creates a refined sense of depth.
Nevertheless, the educated watch eye will in all probability have hassle understanding the bracelet’s design. The dial is so unique with its single hand, which is dominant and suitably outsized, and different pretty and refined particulars that it deserves a greater bracelet. Since I’m not a watch and/or bracelet designer, I can’t exactly let you know or MeisterSinger what sort of bracelet I might have most well-liked. Nonetheless, it may be performed by a few of the bracelets of different manufacturers releasing related kinds of watches. On a constructive be aware, the case and bracelet are really built-in, not faux-integrated. That does rely for one thing.
Who desires a MeisterSinger Kaenos?
Whereas sporting and liking the MeisterSinger Kaenos Open Date for some time, I puzzled who the watch’s target market is. Earlier than answering that query, I have to admit that the Kaenos Open Date appears to be like good on the wrist and wears moderately properly. The bracelet is much less distinguished 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 every day beater with type, match the one-hand philosophy that’s not about high-paced residing? I could be overthinking right here, however I might are likely to reply the query with a “no.” I additionally don’t assume I’m the target market—I’ve seen an excessive amount of, so to talk. However I’m fairly positive MeisterSinger house owners/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 house owners who additionally wished to put on a timepiece from their favourite watchmaker on the weekend whereas they engaged in leisure actions resembling boating on the lake. The Kaenos is MeisterSinger’s Odysseus!
Ultimate phrases on the Kaenos
In a sea of sporty watches with an built-in bracelet, the probabilities that a big, new viewers will choose up the MeisterSinger Kaenos appear slim. That mentioned, the truth that it not too long ago gained the 2025 iF Design Award definitely 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 unique and weird sufficient to draw and seduce an untapped viewers. I ponder if the MeisterSinger title and model notion are sturdy sufficient to steer an viewers that wishes an built-in sports activities watch, a timepiece that usually acts as a standing image or flash piece? It won’t 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 won’t 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 components, I nonetheless assume the Kaenos isn’t 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.
