Reunited, Massena LAB and the independent watchmaker, Raúl Pagès reveal the sequel to 2022’s Magraph with a new iteration of their proprietary caliber and a rich, verdant dial
Absinthe by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès
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Massena LAB is proud to announce its newest release, Absinthe by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès, a limited-edition wristwatch with a hypnotic, green dial; a sleek 38.5mm case in stainless steel; and a proprietary movement designed by Massena LAB and Swiss, independent watchmaker Raúl Pagès.
The calibre M690, which powers the Absinthe limited edition, is an iteration of the M660, Massena LAB’s first proprietary movement. The M690, like its predecessor, is a manual-winding, Swiss-made movement with hand-finishing and a power reserve of 60 hours but moves its small seconds subdial from six o’clock to nine.
Visible through a transparent, sapphire caseback, the M690 features a broad plate with Côtes de Genève finishing with hand-chamfered plates and bridges. Raúl Pagès’ signature, the poinçon Pagès, is tucked subtly under the calibre’s balance wheel and takes the form of a tortoise. The finishing touch: overlapping decorative circles of perlage finishing surrounding this poinçon. Combined, this level of finishing demonstrates a high degree of artistry and skill, which is more commonly found in timepieces three times the price.
The M690, like the M660, was designed by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès, the Les-Brenets-based Swiss independent watchmaker who was recently awarded the inaugural Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives. While Pagès oversees and supervises the production of the M690, which is achieved by a small network of Swiss watchmakers, he does not handle the production or the decoration of the movement himself as he would for one of his own creations.
The emerald dial finds inspiration in nature–from the green hills of Scotland and Ireland to Lake Carezza in Italy–and from the art and literature of 19th-century Paris, the Golden Age of the famous green drink depicted in the art of Edgar Degas and the writings of Ernest Hemingway. While it found notoriety in Belle Époque France, absinthe is actually a Swiss invention, much like the watch that borrows its name.
The dial is vertically brushed, which provides a rich texture and plays with the light, bringing attention to the many shades of green on its ombré dial, from dark forest green to a brilliant emerald. Its indices and feuille hands are rhodium-plated, shining brightly against a lush backdrop.
The dial is signed simply “Massena”, with the curving words “Observatory Precision” written at three o’clock, creating a sense of symmetry with the small seconds subdial at the nine o’clock position. However, these words are not included for aesthetic purposes alone.
Collectors who purchase Absinthe will have the opportunity to send their watch to the Horological Society of New York for testing as part of the organization’s HSNY Chronometer CertificationTM Program. At completion of HSNY’s rigorous testing protocol, which exceeds the international standards outlined in ISO 3159, owners will receive a physical certificate listing individual results for their timepiece.
Absinthe is housed in a stainless steel case with architecture inspired by dress watches from the 1940s and 50s and measuring 38.5mm. The watch is fitted with a Saffiano leather strap in midnight blue made in Italy.
“I am delighted to again have the participation of Raúl, whose technical mastery and friendship have been integral to the success of the M660, and now, the M690,” said William Massena, founder of Massena LAB. “In French, absinthe is sometimes called la Fée Verte, or the Green Fairy. It is my hope that this little green dial evokes a similar, magical feeling for its collectors. ”
Launching on May 22, 2024 on MassenaLAB.com, the watch is available for purchase for US $8,675 (unchanged from the price of 2022’s Magraph) and secured by a deposit of $2000. Clients interested in sending their watch for chronometer certification at the Horological Society of New York may elect to do so for an additional cost of $300.
Absinthe will be delivered in small batches, of five to seven pieces per month starting in July. Delivery is to be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Absinthe by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès Technical Specifications
Price: US $8,675 or $8,975 with Chronometer Certification from HSNY. Confirmed with a deposit of $2000 or $2300. Limited Edition: 99 pieces. To be delivered in batches of 5 to 7 pieces starting in July 2024.
Movement
Manual-winding, proprietary Massena LAB caliber M690, designed and developed by Raúl Pagès.
28,800 half oscillations per hour (4Hz),
power reserve of 60 hours,
17 jewels.
Case
316L stainless steel.
Dimensions: 38.5mm, thickness: 10mm.
Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
Caseback: Exhibition caseback. Engraved with serial number.
Dial
Ombré green.
Vertically brushed.
Rhodium-plated hands and indices.
Strap
Saffiano leather made in Italy.
Pin buckle in stainless steel.
Lug Width: 20mm
About Massena LAB Massena LAB is a horological creative studio that designs and develops respected timepieces. Founded by William Massena, Massena LAB exists to be a reference point of horological culture and play an integral part in its constant evolution, using elements of style from the past to enhance the future of watchmaking. It aims to create a community of informed watch enthusiasts with a passion for original timepieces from independent watchmakers. The “LAB” stands for laboratory, but also collaboration.
About Raúl Pagès Raúl Pagès is an independent Swiss watchmaker, movement designer, and restorer. In 2005, he obtained his diploma of watchmaker-restorer in antique watchmaking with honors. In 2006, he was awarded his diploma of design in watch complications at the CIFOM in Le Locle. For more than 15 years, he has been working on the restoration of horological masterpieces belonging to the most prestigious collections in the world. These technical skills allow him today to offer masterpieces that perfectly combine tradition and modernity. An accomplished musician, and a lover of art history and 20th-century design history, Raúl Pagès explores the time measurement of time and its history as a multi-faceted artist. A rigorous and meticulous technician, he innovates and designs exceptional watchmaking mechanisms. Earlier this year, Raúl Pagès was awarded the inaugural Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives for his RP1.
About the Horological Society of New York The Horological Society of New York was founded in 1866 and is one of the oldest continuously operating horological associations in the world, as well as America’s first watchmaking guild. The HSNY, based in Manhattan, regularly hosts guest lecturers and provides classes and workshops as part of its mission to make horological education accessible and enjoyable to the greater public. The HSNY introduced their Chronometer Certification Program which adheres to a rigorous testing protocol, exceeding the international standards outlined in ISO 3159. Testing is conducted in a range of temperatures and positions of a 15 day period to mimic the conditions and environments that a watch may experience in its lifetime.
