Albishorn x Massena LAB – MAXIGRAPH 1939 Monopusher Chronograph Edition 2024
Imaginary history
The missing regatta chronograph from the 1930s
Massena LAB partners with the new independent watchmaker Albishorn for the release of a new collaborative timepiece, the Maxigraph, a true tool watch and regatta timer inspired by the rich history of nautical timepieces and of the city of Geneva itself. Harking back to the first edition of the now legendary regatta race, Le Bol d’Or, first held on Lac Léman in 1939, the Maxigraph is the creation of an imagined history: how might a modern-day regatta chronograph have looked in the 1930s?
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Albishorn, making its debut at
Geneva Watch Days 2024, is an independent Swiss watchmaker that blends (and bends) horological history to craft original and distinctive timepieces, drawing inspiration from vintage pieces.
Albishorn’s concept of
“imaginary vintage” (
®) guides its approach to watchmaking as it strives to create timepieces which echo the past without replicating them directly; aiming instead to explore imagined, and exciting, parallel histories.
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Originating as pocket watches, regatta chronographs were first crafted to meet the demands of regatta competitors seeking precise timing mechanisms for their nautical races. The evolution from pocket watch to wristwatch was a significant milestone, and, over time, regatta timers evolved to become water and shock-resistant. Curiously, all the technical requirements for a modern-day water-resistant chronograph were available by the end of the
1930s but were never applied to the regatta timer. The
Maxigraph imagines what might have been, if horological history had only been slightly bent.
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The answer is the
Maxigraph, a hypothetically historical timepiece; crafted with precision (and a touch of madness), which, in our imagined history, may have been commissioned by the owner of sailboat, such as the Ylliam IV, the six meter sailboat that was the winner of the first edition of
Le Bol d’Or in
1939. With the
Maxigraph in hand, the crew of the sailboat would have had the help of a precise and durable tool during the most critical phase of the race: the countdown to start.
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At the start of
Le Bol d’Or, a regatta which takes place on
Lac Léman starting in Geneva and ending in
Le Bouveret, a horn signals the countdown to the start of the race. At this point, the crew of the sailboat must hold their position, a strenuous task while sailing in front of an invisible start line that cannot be crossed without risking a severe penalty. At the end of the ten minutes, guided precisely by the regatta timer of the
Maxigraph, the crew must immediately set sail, beginning their race.
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The
Maxigraph is a monopusher chronograph with an automatic, Swiss-made, proprietary caliber with a patented ten-minute retrograde regatta countdown, which is positioned at 7 o’clock on the dial. Unlike a typical regatta timer, which restarts endlessly when the countdown is over, the
Maxigraph’s timer stops once ten minutes have elapsed while the seconds of the chronograph continue running. The countdown is reset by stopping and resetting the chronograph using a single, red aluminum pusher at 9 o’clock, the optimal position for a precise click of the pusher using one’s thumb, considered the best digit for operating a chronograph.
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The silver dial of the Maxigraph was designed with a focus on legibility and functionality. Each scale has its own place, finish, and color, resulting in an original and modern sector dial which references the timepieces of the 1930s. An aperture for a colorful running indicator is located at four o’clock, and Super-LumiNova® provides luminosity to the hour and minute hands. Super-LumiNova® is also integrated subtly on the dial on two scales during hours when low light is typical: one arc spanning from 18 to 24 o’clock, and another from 12 to 6 o’clock.
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The stainless steel case of the Maxigraph measures 39mm and features a 41mm bidirectional rotating bezel in stainless steel. Its crown is located at 10 o’clock, remaining clear of obstructions during crucial maneuvers. The watch is water-resistant to 100 meters, making it a perfect companion for a day on the water.
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William Massena, founder of Massena LAB, said “working with
Sébastien Chaulmontet on the design of the Maxigraph has been a real
joy. Sébastien and I have known each other for many years, and not only
is he an absolute expert in the field of watchmaking, but he is also a
bit of a renaissance man in his own right. We at Massena LAB are proud
to stand side by side with him as he launches his own line, Albishorn,
and we are excited to unveil the Maxigraph here at Geneva Watch Days.”
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The challenge was to develop a regatta chronograph that would be period correct and aligned with the requirements and expectations of navigators, while being fully original. That’s how the
Maxigraph chronograph was born: a mono-pusher nautical chronograph, featuring a unique and innovative design and a patented regatta function.
Dial
The silver dial of the Maxigraph was designed with a focus on legibility and functionality. Each scale has its own place, finish, and color, resulting in an original and modernist sector dial. This very specific dial layout is unique and pays tribute to precision instruments from that era.
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Night readability is ensured by luminous material (Super-LumiNova®) subtly integrated within two different scales. The first arc of luminous material runs from 18 to 24 o’clock, while the second, larger arc, runs from 12 to 6 o’clock. The hands are filled with luminous material too, allowing for easy reading in low-light conditions.
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To guarantee excellent legibility and unlike any other mechanical chronograph wristwatch, the
Maxigraph boasts a patented 10-minute retrograde regatta countdown at 7 o’clock and an aperture at 4 o’clock showcasing colored disc acting as a running indicator.
Case
While being automatic, the Maxigraph remains sleek with only a 13 mm height (box sapphire crystal included). Made of stainless steel, the case of the Maxigraph reflects a seamless blend of robustness and elegance.
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The alternance of brushed and polished surfaces provides a subtle contrast, accentuating the watch's overall presence. All edges of the case have been chamfered and polished, offering a sophisticated haute horlogerie aesthetic.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO The back is adorned with a technical drawing inspired by
Ylliam IV, the 6 Meter rule boat which won the
Bol d’Or in
1939.
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One of the standout features of the
Maxigraph is its stainless steel turning bezel. It was designed to rotate in a bidirectional manner and features two different engraved scales (12 and 60 units) which are then filled with either red or black lacquer.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO Positioned at 10 o’clock, the crown allows for easy winding and time setting while keeping it clear of any obstructions during crucial maneuvers. Adjacent to the crown, at 9 o’clock on the case side, is a red aluminum pusher, discreetly integrated into the case design.
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This location allows the pusher to be operated by the thumb, the finger considered the best one for operating a chronograph. The large size of the pusher simplifies the operation and adds a touch of uniqueness to the watch.
Movement
The Maxigraph incorporates a refined and reliable proprietary automatic mono-pusher chronograph movement, expertly crafted in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Once fully wound, it offers an astounding 64 hours of power reserve.
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The movement was designed as a mono-pusher chronograph, therefore featuring a single button to control all the chronograph functions (start, stop, and reset) rather than the more common two-pusher system.
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A further standout attribute of the Maxigraph’s movement is its remarkably low height for an automatic chronograph of only 6.60 mm, enabling the production of particularly thin chronographs like in the 1930s and 1940s.
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Albishorn specifically developed this movement to showcase the brand's distinctive and unique dial layout, featuring a patented 10-minute retrograde regatta countdown at 7 o’clock and an aperture for a running indicator at 4 o’clock.
Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO Unlike typical regatta chronograph countdown indications, which restart endlessly the countdown once it is over, the one from the
Maxigraph was designed to stop once the 10 minutes are over, while the seconds of the chronograph continue running. To reset the countdown indication, the chronograph has to be stopped and reset using the pusher at 9 o’clock.
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Sébastien Chaulmontet, founder of Albishorn, added: “I am proud and honored to launch my brand, starting with a collaboration with William. Our friendship and common passion for watches have driven us to create something truly special. Together, we have combined our tastes and expertise to develop a unique timepiece that embodies our shared vision and dedication to craftsmanship.”
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The
Albishorn x Massena LAB Maxigraph launches on
MassenaLAB.com on Thursday
September 12,
2024, and is available for viewing by appointment only at
Geneva Watch Days. Watches will be produced and delivered in very small batches of about twenty-five watches each, starting in September.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
🤝 COLLABORATIONS:
COLLABORATIONS Collection: WATER
Model: Albishorn x Massena LAB Maxigraph 1939 Monopusher Chronograph Edition
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Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO.jpg)
Produced in small quantities of about 25 watches per batch
Case Material: 316L stainless steel case with polished and satin finished surfaces and with chamfered and polished
edges
Diameter: 39mm case
; 41mm with bezel
Thickness: 13mm
Lug to lug: 47.7mm
Crystal: Box sapphire crystal with antireflexive coating
Stainless steel winding crown with engraved
Albishorn logo
Pusher in red anodized aluminum
Crown at 10 o'clock, red aluminum monopusher at 9 o'clock
Case back: Engraved with a technical drawing inspired by the
Ylliam IV six meter sailboat, the winner of the first
Le Bol d'Or, held on Lake Geneva in
1939 Water-resistant to 100 meters
Bezel Bidirectional rotating bezel in stainless steel with engraved and black or red lacquered numerals
Double scale: 60 and 12 units
Bezel diameter: 41.7 mm
Dial and hands White and silver sector dial with white Super-LumiNova®
Blued hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova®
Red chronograph second and minute hands
Colored disc as running indicator
Regatta timer at 7 o’clock, running indicator at 4 o’clock.
60 seconds counter in the center
Movement Proprietary chronograph caliber
ALB01 A.
Self-winding caliber, monopusher chronograph
Height: 6,60 mm
Diameter: 30,00 mm
Frequency: 28,800 vph (4 Hz) Stop second device Typical power reserve of 64 hours 25 jewelsFunctions/
Indications Hours, minutes
Monopusher chronograph with patented ten-minute countdown regatta timer
Running indicator by disc
60 seconds counter in the center
Patented retrograde 10-minute regatta function
Strap and buckle
Red rubber with stainless steel
Albishorn logo buckle
Watch delivered with additional strap in white calfskin also with
Albishorn logo buckle
Lug Width: 20mm
🔰Limited Edition of 25 pieces
🔴Recommended retail price: USD 4,995 / CHF 4,250
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ABOUT MASSENA LAB
Massena
LAB, founded by noted watch collector and industry veteran William
Massena, is a creative horological studio that designs, develops, and
produces timepieces, often in collaboration with respected watchmakers
from around the world. Massena LAB exists to be a reference point of
horological culture and to play an integral part in its constant
evolution, using elements of style from the past to enhance the future
of watchmaking.
It aims to create and nurture a community of
informed watch enthusiasts with a passion for novel timepieces from
independent watchmakers. The “LAB” in Massena LAB is a combination of
two words: “laboratory,” for our willingness to experiment and our
embrace of new ideas, and “collaboration,” for our fruitful,
long-standing relationships with our partner brands.
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ABOUT Albishorn - Imaginary Vintage®
Welcome to Albishorn, the independent Swiss watchmaker that builds vintagewatches that never were.We create original and unique mechanical timepieces that can be seen as “missinglinks”.
They fit seamlessly into the history of watchmaking but clearly have a characterof their own. We create what we call “imaginary vintage” watches.Ever wondered about the fictional forerunner of the renowned “Type 20” chronographused by the French military? Meet the “Type 10”, a creation of our fantasy at Albishorn(coming in October 2024)!This approach reflects our primary commitment to creativity and imagination. Weidentify designs and concepts that could have perfectly complemented classic watchesof the past but were never brought to life. What about a chronograph that marries theelegant appearance of a skin diver to a novel and patented regatta display?
We havepioneered this new genre with the Marinagraph®, making it the perfect companionfor maritime adventures (coming in 2025).Sébastien Chaulmontet, Albishorn's head, shares: "I love searching for one-of-a-kindwatches, prototypes, and those that challenge conventions—a homage to the endless creativityof our watchmaking ancestors. These elusive timepieces often unveil glimpses of what couldhave been. They fuel my imagination and make me dream of timepieces that I would have lovedto exist but were never actually made. Albishorn is committed to create these unique watches."Upholding Swiss craftsmanship in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, our skilled teamblends tradition with innovation.
Albishorn ensures the highest Swiss qualitystandards, using premium materials to create watches that are not only beautifullydesigned but also reliable companions for generations.Each Albishorn timepiece captures the spirit of a bygone era, mirroring the charm anddetails of vintage watches while embracing modern watchmaking technology. Weactively pursue original dial layouts and displays, complemented by our distinctiveproprietary mechanical calibers. These movements often showcase patentedcomplications, further enhancing the uniqueness of our watches.
Step into the world of Albishorn and join us on a horological journey. Discoverwatches that complement vintage history, enhancing your collection with uniquepieces that transcend time.We hope that you will enjoy wearing our watches as much as we did making them.
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Press release - 2024
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