Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès collaborate for the third time to unveil the new Noctograph, a vintage inspired hours-minutes-small seconds watch that features a “mysterious, midnight-hued dial powered by their proprietary movement.”
Massena Lab
Massena LAB is a watch brand that “creates, designs and develops timepieces with renowned watchmakers.” They recommend horological ideas and concepts to watch brands “that are unusual and beyond the offerings from their collection.” Founded by William Massena, a renown horological expert, who has worn several hats in the world of horology such as avid collector, horological consultant, and auctioneer. He was a watch retailer with boutiques in New York and Miami, before he became the Chief Operating Officer at Antiquorum, an auction house in Geneva. In 2024, Massena LAB won the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) Chronograph Watch Prize for the Chronograph Monopoussoir Sylvain Pinaud x Massena LAB.
We have featured Massena LAB creations a few times. Please click here, here, and here to read more about their phenomenal work.
Raúl Pagès
Raúl Pagès is an independent watchmaker based in Les Brenets, Switzerland. His expertise includes movement design and restoration. He is a member of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants (AHCI).
“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.”
In 2012, he established his own business. He “is best-known for his “Tortue” automaton, a pièce unique made from over 352 handmade components; “Soberly Onyx”, a limited-series of ten timepieces released in 2016; “Régulateur à détente (détente escapement) RP1,” and most recently, the RP2.”
Image: Soberly Onyx. (Image credit: Raúl Pagès website.)
The RP2 is a three-hand watch which features a minimalistic white dial and powered by a hand-finished movement. Pagès was awarded the inaugural Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives in 2024.
Key Features
Image: The blue small seconds hand and blue outer dial contrasts beautifully with the main midnight blue dial. Notice the recessed small seconds subdial and brushed sides of the case and polished bezel and lugs.
Functions
Hours, minutes, and small seconds. Stop seconds function.
Dial
Vertically brushed midnight blue main plate. Rhodium plated and radially brushed chapter ring, featuring a black railroad style hour and minute scale. Feuille shaped hour and minute hands, made from stainless steel. Small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, slightly recessed into the main dial. “Massena” ghost signature at 4 o’clock.
Case
Image: The Noctograph will pair well with a choice of aftermarket straps.
Design is inspired from dress watches crafted during the 1940’s and 1950’s. Made from 316L stainless steel. Brushed sides and polished lugs and bezel. Diameter: 38.50 mm. Thickness: 10 mm. Lug-to-lug distance: 47.50 mm. Lug width: 20 mm. Dial side features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Caseback features a sapphire crystal. Individually numbered. Watch comes with a dive grey calfskin leather strap (hand made in Italy for Massena LAB) fitted to a newly designed Massena LAB signature buckle made from stainless steel.
Movement
Powered by calibre M660, a proprietary manual-winding movement designed by Massena LAB in collaboration with Raúl Pagès. Pagès personally supervises its production, which is assigned to a group of carefully selected Swiss watchmakers.
It drives the hours, minutes, seconds, and stop seconds function. Frequency: 28,800 vph. Jewels: 21. Power reserve: 60 hours.
Bridges and plates feature hand-finished anglage or hand-chamfered edges. Côtes de Genève or Geneva stripes on the broad plate. Decorative perlage or overlapping decorative circles. Raúl Pagès’ signature – the poinçon Pagès – is hidden under the balance wheel.
Our Thoughts
Image: My kind of watch. Almost as if Massena LAB read my mind.
The Noctograph ticks several boxes. Vintage inspired designed touches – on both the dial and case – from the 1930’s to 1950’s, a golden period of watchmaking. Modern proportions, just right at 38.50 mm * 10 mm. A proprietary manual-winding movement designed by both Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès, the latter being one of the star independent watchmakers today. Versatile – works as a daily beater and a dress watch. Relatively affordable. Rarity, only 99 pieces.
With watch prices as high as they are today (not in touch with reality in many cases), the Noctograph is a rare example of a value proposition watch with genuine haute horology details. Based on images and supporting information, I cannot find fault with it. The only gripe I have is the lack of the brand name at 12 o’clock, because we are subconsciously conditioned to it. However, this is something I can get used to and not a deal breaker. Well done to both William Massena and Raúl Pagès for a beautiful watch and a genuine winner, and for showing that haute horology does not have to cost an arm and a leg.
Additional Details
Name: Noctograph by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès
Price: United States Dollars (USD) 8,875
Deposit required: $2,500
“Delivery window to be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Warranty: 2 years.
Limited edition of 99 pieces.
Please visit the Massena LAB website and Instagram page for more information and ordering details.
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