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Special edition on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the premiere of Richard Wagner’s opera "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg"

August 2008 - For this particular occasion, a special edition was created featuring Albrecht Dürer’s "W" on the dial. It was adopted by Richard Wagner as his signet, and until today, the Wagner associations also use the "W" as their logo.

Franz Hawlata isthe performer of Hans Sachs in the current festival season. He comments: "This watch stands for an attitude that suits me very well. It is from the calmness that I derive the strength and the concentration I need for enjoying the arts..." As early as 1995, Franz Hawlata gave his successful debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and was enthusiastically received at the Royal Opera House in London one year later. Meanwhile, the singer appears in regular guest performances in Munich, Berlin, Essen, Brussels, Barcelona, Florence, Torino, Genua, New York, Chicago, San Diego and Tokyo.
In the opera "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" the historical figure of Hans Sachs represents the last manifestation of the artistically productive spirit of the people. Richard Wagner confronts him with the formalism and rigid regulations of the bourgeoisie. Living at the same time in Nuremberg was Peter Henlein (1480–1542), a master craftsman and locksmith. It is quite likely that the two knew each other—the most renowned of all the "master singers" and the master locksmith who is cnsdered the inventor of the first portable watch. Naturally, this watch only had one hand. MeisterSinger closes the circle and allows us the same calm enjoyment of time as in generations past.