This is the second collaboration between Louis Erard and Massena LAB, two platforms dedicated to accessible collector’s watches, this time with an air of the 19th century.
This is not the first time that Louis Erard has opened the door to classical watchmaking and taken a look back at the 19th century, nor is this the first time that Louis Erard has invited Massena LAB to co-produce a creation. After Le Régulateur, shortlisted for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, the four-handed collaboration this time focused on the monopusher chronograph. A highly technical speciality – a single pusher to start, stop and reset the chronograph – which is expressed with great simplicity by Louis Erard: a single 30-minute totaliser on a separate dial at 12 o’clock.
William Massena is a leading figure in the world of collector’s watches, and ran Antiquorum for several years before launching his own label in 2018, not a brand but a platform focused on collaborations. With a single idea in mind: to promote the watchmaking he loves and “democratise a style usually reserved for wealthy collectors”, historical watchmaking from the 18th and 19th centuries, in his own way following in the footsteps of Antide Janvier and marine chronometry.
Meeting Louis Erard was a logical step to help make the exceptional accessible. Manuel Emch, CEO and creative director of the Louis Erard brand, has made watchmaking culture his hallmark, opening up his collections to everything that haute horlogerie had previously reserved for itself: métiers d’art, cutting-edge collaborations, independent watchmakers, creative people, artists, craftsmen including, Alain Silberstein, Vianney Halter, Konstantin Chaykin, atelier oï, seconde/seconde/, Eric Giroud, Bastien Chevalier.
Excellence reveals itself in the style, which is thorough, meticulous and detailed and in the finishing, which is exceptional. This monopusher chronograph is a striking example: rhodium-plated outer flange and counter with circular satin-finish and diamond-cut corners, rhodium-plated or 2N gilded lower plate with grained finish and silver opaline counter centre, black transfers with Louis Erard symbol and Massena logo at six o’clock. And from this quest for excellence comes exclusivity: sophistication is always achieved by hand, and hands are not made for mass production.
“To be successful, a collaboration has to make sense.”
William Massena, Founder, Massena LAB
Like with all the other collaborations, Le Chronographe Monopoussoir Louis Erard x Massena LAB is produced in a limited series: 178 pieces – a figure that symbolises “together we are stronger”. 178 pieces in two variations: rhodium-plated or gilded dial.
Technical Specifications:
Le Chronographe Monopoussoir Louis Erard x Massena LAB Silver ref. 74239AA70
Limited series of 178 pieces
Price excl. tax: CHF 4,250.—
Movement: Automatic monopusher chronograph, Sellita SW500MPCa calibre, 13¼’’’, Ø30.00 mm, height: 7.90 mm, 25 jewels, 28,800 VpH (4 Hz), élaboré grade movement, meticulously decorated, special openworked oscillating weight with LOUIS ERARD symbol, around 48 hours of power reserve
Functions: HM + chronograph
Time: central hour and minute hands
Chronograph: central second hand, 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock
Case: Polished stainless steel, Ø43 mm, lug width: 22mm, lug to lug: 50.40mm, thickness: 15.70 mm, 3 pieces, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, movement visible through the transparent back, water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bar (50 m / 165 ft), Massena LAB signature crown, caseback engraved with “Limited Edition 1 of 178”
Dial: Rhodium-plated outer flange and counter with circular satin-finish and diamond-cut corners, rhodium-plated lower plate with grained finish and silver opaline counter centre, black transfers, Louis Erard symbol and Massena logo at 6 o’clock
Hands: Blued steel leaf-shaped hands
Strap: Black grained calf leather with tone-on-tone attachment points, blue grained calf leather lining, polished stainless steel pin buckle, functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly
Dimensions: 22/20 mm width, 80/115 mm length
Collaboration: Watch developed in collaboration with Massena LAB, limited series of 178 pieces
Le Chronographe Monopoussoir Louis Erard x Massena LAB Gold ref. 74239AA71
Limited series of 178 pieces
Price excl. tax: CHF 4,250.—
Movement: Automatic monopusher chronograph, Sellita SW500MPCa calibre, 13¼’’’, Ø30.00 mm, height: 7.90 mm, 25 jewels, 28,800 VpH (4 Hz), élaboré grade movement, meticulously decorated, special openworked oscillating weight with LOUIS ERARD symbol, around 48 hours of power reserve
Functions: HM + chronograph
Time: central hour and minute hands
Chronograph: central second hand, 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock
Case: Polished stainless steel, Ø43 mm, lug width: 22mm, lug to lug: 50.40mm, thickness: 15.70 mm, 3 pieces, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides, movement visible through the transparent back, water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bar (50 m / 165 ft), Massena LAB signature crown, caseback engraved with “Limited Edition 1 of 178”
Dial: Rhodium-plated outer flange and counter with circular satin-finish and diamond-cut corners, 2N gilded lower plate with grained finish and silver opaline counter centre, black transfers, Louis Erard symbol and Massena logo at 6 o’clock
Hands: Blued steel leaf-shaped hands
Strap: Black grained calf leather with tone-on-tone attachment points, blue grained calf leather lining, polished stainless steel pin buckle, functional catch spring bars enabling the strap to be changed quickly
Dimensions: 22/20 mm width, 80/115 mm length
Collaboration: Watch developed in collaboration with Massena LAB, limited series of 178 pieces
For more information please visit Louis Erard