My “Single Handed” watch model choice (well this week anyway!) would have to be the MeisterSinger Perigraph, which I think embodies the best of the Modern and the Classic.  A most elegant steel cased Single Handed Date Watch.

Whilst the rest of the affordable Single and One Hand 24hr offerings appear to offer a more modernist approach, the MeisterSinger has that classical look, that as a watch collector I just love.  What I call a “proper watch” and one that I can wear both for everyday and for evening wear – in essence a rather refined, under-stated and elegant watch.
Two sizes are available, 43mm and my personal preference this 38mm model, with it’s slightly old world Ivory coloured dial face and with the neatl date ring complication (the Date Perigraph) is about as refined as you can get.  It is also a really Traditional time piece sporting a good mechanical Automatic movement – the Swiss Sellita SW200 (similar and as good in my opinion as the ETA calibre).  With a 48hr power reserve, a full 50m Water resistance, scratch resistant Sapphire Crystal and the very precise 144 markers denoting 5 minute intervals on the outer chapter, it’s a cracking watch.

The date ring is very clear, the days nicely figured and the single hand is blued steel – showing excellent contrast and no worries reading this watch.  When the date changes it makes a nice satisfying click as it moves to the next day. The large and properly knurled crown, exhibition crystal back and decent leather strap completes what for me, so far, is my very favourite Single Handed watch.

However with reference to the previous post and the Botta series of more modernist watches, there are quite a few others on the scene – such as these shown below.

The models in the above montage are –

• The Defakto Eins Automatic Swiss movement ETA 2824-2. At 42mm diameter Stainless PVD coated case, 9.8mm depth and 50m Water Resistance, Luminous hand and indexes with leather strap.  With 15 minute indexing, but a little clunky for my personal taste.  Note – this is Single Hand AND a 24hr watch.

• The Defakto Detail model is a much finer affair with indexes at 5 minute intervals (short lines), 15minutes (medium lines) and Hour markers (the longest), which are very fine, so a high degree of accuracy is achieved in comparison to the Previous model. The case body carrying a Ronda Quartz 715 inside means the sizing is neater at only 6.6mm depth.  A Sapphire crystal with an inner Anti-reflection coating completes the specification and I understand this is the latest model to come out of Pforzheim, in Germany. Note – this is Single Hand AND a 24hr watch.

• Danish Design (DD) IQ19Q820 Black Titanium Mono – again Quartz powered but with a dial design very like the others with the addition of a date window @6. Also as neater and better dimensionally to the Defaktos at 37mm diameter and only 6mm depth – quite a nice performer. Again Note – this is a Single Hand 24hr watch.

Of these three examples I think I prefer the Danish Design quality look and feel and if in the market for one of the “modern” style 24hr models, I would be looking very seriously at the Botta Uno 24 or the Danish Design.

And of course there are a few more that are much more expensive, such as Pita, Stark, Schauer, Angular Momentum and my out of reach and very expensive – Jaquet Droz Grand Heure.  But for now or until I win the lottery and at not too monstrous a price is the MeisterSinger Perigraph, which I think combines both the modern and the classic to perfection.

But really  if honest and bearing in mind my budget, it has to be the MeisterSinger every time!