Ever wanted to see how a jumping hour actually works? The Salthora Meta X has a central transparent view specifically to see that element of the timepiece.
MeisterSingers are usually quite easy to spot, due to their single hand configuration, however the Salthora Meta X is slightly different in a few ways.
Unlike many of the brand’s other models, which are generally more classic looking and perhaps a little understated in design, the Salthora Meta X is a diving watch and looks quite different.
MeisterSinger explains the fundamental difference from a watchmaker’s perspective though:
The Salthora Meta X is an exception in the MeisterSinger collection because it has a single minute hand instead of an hour hand.
MeisterSinger Salthora Meta X
Face & case
Housed in a 43mm stainless steel case, a rotatable ceramic bezel circles the dial of the Salthora Meta X, in black, with white numbers in intervals of 5.
Underneath the domed sapphire crystal and moving inwards, black and white are the main colours, with some red accents.
Just inside the bezel, the minute markers are in white on black, with numbers at 5 minute intervals and markers for each other minute. There are red markers at 15, 30, 45 and 60.
Inside the minute ring, the hours can be seen going round on a transparent disc, which shows the hours in white from 01 to 12, with the current hour identified inside a red circle at 12 o’clock.
Beneath it all and in the centre of the dial, it possible to see exactly how the mech attached to the minute wheel stores up energy for a sixty minute period in an hour, at which point the actuating lever releases and the hour disc “jumps” to the next hour. It moves so quickly, the changing hour is almost impossible to see the actual movement of the disc. Other elements of the movement can be seen peeking through too, but it’s the jumping hour element that is the star of the show.
The MeisterSinger brand and logo can also be seen in white beneath the minute wheel, running from 5 to 7 o’clock.
The red minute hand is big and bold, stretching beyond the centre all the way out until it almost reaches the bezel.
The crown is quite large and features the MeisterSinger logo on the end. Screw down, with well defined ridges for grip, a deep guard protects it from any knocks.
The case back is screw down and features a satinised centre with the brand’s name and logo raised across the middle. Other engravings circle the satin area, including the watch name, Swiss Made, the number of the piece and 20 Bar, meaning the watch is water resistant to about 200m.
MeisterSinger Salthora Meta X Case Back
Movement
The Salthora Meta X is listed as featuring an automatic ETA 2824-2 or Sellita SW 200-1 movement, with a MeisterSinger modified module for the “jumping hour” aspect.
Benefiting from 26 jewels, the caliber beats at 28,800 semioscillations p/h (4 Hz).
Expect 38 hours power reserve once fully wound.
MeisterSinger Salthora Meta X Side and Crown
Strap
The watch features a thick black leather strap, with a tight crosshatch engraved finish, providing a different look and feel. There are red stitching accents close to the face only (rather than all the way up the edges), which picks up nicely against the red hand.
The MeisterSinger logo can be seen understatedly engraved on the stainless buckle and pin.
MeisterSinger Salthora Meta X Buckle and Strap
Other stuff
The first time measuring instruments such as the sundial and hourglass featured just one hand in order to read the time. It wasn’t until the 18th century was a second hand added to separate the the minutes from the hour hand.
MeisterSinger goes back to the origins of timekeeping, by showing how we are able to read time in the simplest way possible.
MeisterSinger Salthora Meta X on the Wrist
Our verdict
The MeisterSinger Salthora Meta X ticks a lot of boxes for me personally.
I like the slightly oddball design and although it does have some similarities, it doesn’t look like a typical divers watch. The black, white and red colours are appealing and the jumping hour is a nice feature to watch in anticipation at the change of the hour too.
Although the strap suits the piece and the crosshatch finish is also very different looking, the only thing I might consider changing is to go a bit wild with a red stingray or other red exotic strap.
Well weighted on the wrist and at 43mm it’s about the perfect size to be an everyday casual piece and with a price of £3,690, is easily accessible for a limited run of only 150 pieces.
Each watch is also presented with a bracelet which is handmade by Albanu of Monaco and bearing in mind these were released last year, I’m actually quite surprised they haven’t already sold out.
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