Absinthe by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès - Deposit
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Absinthe by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès is 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 independent watchmaker Raúl Pagès. The caliber M690, which powers the Absinthe limited edition, is an iteration of the M660, Massena LABs 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 oclock 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 calibers balance wheel and takes the form of a tortoise. The finishing touch: overlapping decorative circles of perlage finishing surrounding this poinçon . The M690 was designed by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès. 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. 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 organizations HSNY Chronometer Certification™ Program. At completion of HSNYs rigorous testing protocol, owners will receive a physical certificate listing individual results for their timepiece. Absinthe is available for purchase for US $9,900 and secured by a deposit of $3000 . 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 $500. Absinthe will be delivered in small batches, of five to seven pieces per month. Delivery is to be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Who this watch is really for
developing dataBest for
- Collectors who want a chronograph from an independent brand rather than the usual big-brand shortlist.
- Smaller wrists or buyers who prefer compact proportions over oversized wrist presence.
- Collectors looking for a cleaner, dress-leaning independent watch rather than another pure sports watch.
Skip if
- You need a swim-ready sports watch with more water-resistance headroom.
- You want quartz convenience with minimal setting, winding, or service concerns.
Value note: The value case is helped by a familiar Swiss-style movement platform at the high-end level. The rest comes down to finishing, fit, and whether the design feels distinct enough.
