Massena LAB has unveiled the TZ30 in collaboration with Raúl Pagès. The TZ30 celebrates the first 30 years of TimeZone, one of the first watch websites in the world. It is a limited edition of 30 pieces.
“I discovered TimeZone in 1995 and became increasingly involved—first as a moderator, then as Managing Director from 2005 to 2020. Over those years, we watched the site grow from a small group of enthusiasts into an international community. The watch-media landscape has changed dramatically, but I’ve always valued the internet’s ability to democratize knowledge and highlight independent watchmakers. What began with the Habring² team now continues with the TZ30 from Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès, and I hope the TimeZone community enjoys learning more about Raúl and his exceptional work.” – William Massena.
Founded by William Massena – a globally renowned horological expert – Massena LAB is a creative horological studio that “creates, designs and develops timepieces with renowned watchmakers.” Raúl Pagès is a renown 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).
Key Features
Functions and Operations
Hours, minutes, and seconds. Winding and time-setting via the crown at 3 o’clock.
Dial
Blue fumé dial with sapphire, cobalt, and azure shades. Feuille-shaped hour and minute hands, small seconds hand, hour-markers – both the baton shaped indices and small dots on the minute track – are rhodium plated.
Movement
Powered by calibre M690, 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, and small seconds. Jewels: 17. Frequency: 28,800 vph or 4 Hz. Power reserve: 60 hours.
Case
Made from 316L stainless steel. Diameter: 38.5 mm. Thickness: 10 mm. Lug-to-lug distance: 47.5 mm. Lug width: 20 mm. Dial side features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Caseback features a sapphire crystal. Water resistant up to 5 ATM or 50 metres (approximately). Watch comes with a warm mocha pebbled colour calfskin leather strap with white stitching. It is fitted to a stainless steel pin buckle with the Massena LAB signature.
Our Thoughts
When I became keen to learn more about watches and horology during the early 2000s (I was in my early 20s), my only options were browsing the websites (not great back them) of the watch brands and ordering catalogues (impressive back then), and visiting online forums such as TimeZone. There was no social media. Collector communities were closely-knit groups of people in a handful of key watch cities across the globe. Not the explosion we see today – collector communities are worldwide and have dedicated Facebook and WhatsApp (and other channels) groups with strong identities, often with purchasing power to command bespoke or “group watches” from brands. I am part of three such groups. Brands took their time to understand social media – some adopted faster than others.
TimeZone and two other platforms (one exclusive to a watch brand) became my foundation for horological knowledge and friendships. They enhanced my interest to such an extent that it led to a career as a watch journalist. The TZ30 by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès is a meaningful tribute to TimeZone, recognising its impact on the world of watchmaking and people like myself.
Additional Details
Name: TZ30 by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès
Price: USD $9,900
Deposit required: USD $3,000
“Delivery window to be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.”
Warranty: 2 years.
Limited edition of 30 pieces.
Please visit the Massena LAB website and Instagram page for more information and ordering details.
