Absinthe by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès

Massena LAB announces 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 caliber 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 caliber’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.

Technical specifications

Absinthe by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès

Limited edition of 99 pieces. To be delivered in batches of 5 to 7 pieces starting in July 2024.

Case

• Material: 316L stainless steel
• Diameter: 38.5mm
• Thickness: 10mm
• Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides
• Caseback: Exhibition caseback. Engraved with serial number.

Dial and hands

• Ombré green.
• Vertically brushed.
• Rhodium-plated hands and indices.

Movement

• Manual-winding, proprietary Massena LAB caliber M690, designed and developed by Raúl Pagès.
• Frequency: 28,800 half oscillations per hour (4Hz)
• Number of jewels: 17
• Power reserve of 60 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes, seconds

Strap and buckle

• Strap: Saffiano leather made in Italy. Pin buckle in stainless steel.
• Lug Width: 20mm

MSRP

• USD 8'675 or 8'975 with Chronometer Certification from HSNY.
• Confirmed with a deposit of $2000 or $2300

For more information, please visit massenalab.com