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Massena LAB has announced their latest limited edition, a third collaboration with independent watchmaker Raúl Pagès. The new Noctograph also represents the first release from Massena LAB since it was revealed that the brand would now be part of the Alternative Horological Alliance (AHA), a group founded last year by Ming, Fleming, and J.N. Shapiro (the alliance also added Fears at the same time as Massena LAB). The Noctograph, then, is a watch that celebrates independence as well as collaboration in a way that Massena LAB has been doing since the brand’s inception, and makes them a natural fit with their new AHA partners.
If you’ve followed Massena LAB since William Massena launched the project, you’ve probably gotten a sense of his taste. The brands he likes, the watches he collects, and so on. Massena LAB is essentially a vehicle for Massena and his collaborators to put a new spin on the ideas and watches that have shaped his taste over decades. Sometimes those watches are somewhat straightforward reissues of classics that are just slightly tweaked, and sometimes they are more imaginative and high concept. But they always showcase some very specific hallmarks and design cues, sharing inspiration from watches of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, and allow Massena an opportunity for storytelling and sharing watch history through a watch’s design.
So it’s interesting that one of Massena’s key partners over these past few years has been an indie watchmaker who is very much on the rise. Raúl Pagès began his career in restoration over 15 years ago, developing technical skills that have translated into the creation of watches that bridge the gap between classic design languages and a more modern approach. Like Massena, Pagès’ work feels rooted in classicism with a dash of minimalism.
The Noctograph’s key design element is a large blue mainplate at the center of the dial with prominent vertical brushing. According to Massena LAB, the dial will change color depending on the light, and can shift from a lighter “slate” blue to a much darker “midnight” shade. The “Massena” signature is present at 4:00, but is quite discreet and allows the dial to stand on its own (Pagès’ own designs are similarly signed in very innocuous ways – his dials are nearly sterile).
The chapter ring at the dial’s perimeter is rhodium plated and brushed radially, offering a contrast to the finishing of the dial’s interior. A sunken subsidiary seconds scale can be found at 6:00. The steel feuille hands are simple and meant to evoke that 30s-50s period so important to Massena.
The Noctograph runs on a caliber dubbed the M660, which is the same movement found in previous Massena LAB x Pagès collaborations. It’s manually wound, and offers 60 hours of power reserve on a full wind. Unlike the movements in Pagès own creations that sell for well into the five figures, he does not personally hand finish the M660. According to Massena LAB, he “personally oversees and directs” production and decoration but does not engage directly in the manufacture of the M660.
The Noctograph measures 38.5mm in diameter and is crafted from stainless steel. The shape of the case should conjure classic midcentury dress watches, and is finished with brushing on the case sides and polished lugs.
The retail price of the Noctograph is $8,875. It’s a limited edition of 99 pieces and is available beginning today on the Massena LAB website.
