Massena LAB releases the new Noctograph, a third collaboration with independent watchmaker Raúl Pagès.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
New: Massena LAB & Raúl Pagès Noctograph
The Massena LAB & Raúl Pagès Noctograph retails at USD 8,875. Limited Edition of 99 pieces.
Commentary
This is an interesting development to the relationship between William Massena and Raúl Pagès, as this is the third collaboration project they have done together. We find this interesting because Raúl is a newly celebrated independent watchmaker, having just won the LV Watch Prize in 2023, with his own independent product line. Typical of these celebrated independents are the long waitlists, as the watches are individually made, mostly by hand by the master whose name is on dial or a small team working directly with him. And Raúl is no different. The waitlist for his RP2 is long, even though it retails at CHF 89k, which places this new Noctograph at approximately 1/10th the price.
The Noctograph is the extension to the pair’s first collaboration in 2022, when they released the Magraph, a watch design that William Massena says is inspired by a unique variant of the legendary Patek Philippe C.96 sold through Berlin retailer Magraph in 1935. The Massena Magraph was one of the finalists in the Petite Aiguille category of the 2023 GPHG.
However, this new watch is said to be designed to be the parallel to Raùl’s RP2, with similar aesthetic DNA. And though there are elements to the Massena LAB Magraph, we do not really see the similarity to the RP2. And to our eyes, the Noctograph looks more similar to the Longines Classic Sector Dial (without the cross hairs in the center), or the Raymond Weil Millesime. Even the case is similar to the Longines, including the nominal case diameter of 38.5mm (the Raymond Weil is 39.5mm).
But still, the Noctograph’s dial is interesting. The brushed blue dial has peculiar aesthetic, being finished with straight graining and framed by the rhodium plated chapter ring bearing the indices. The subsidiary seconds sub-dial is sunken and is framed by its own seconds scale which overlaps the larger railroad track showing the hours and minutes.
The movement is the caliber M660, is not new, but is the same as the one used in the Magraph. The movement was developed by Raùl himself, based on the gear train calculation and movement train of the once ubiquitous Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement. The finishing is kept simple, but looks very nicely done. The release documentation is clear that though Raùl personally overseas and direct the production of the watch, he does not perform any of the production himself. As we understand it the movement components in the caliber are produced and cut via CNC machines. It is then sent to a network of finishers across the Vallée de Joux for hand-decoration of the different visible parts of the movement. The components then come back to Raùl for quality control, before it goes on to a third-party facility in Switzerland for assembly. The completed M660 caliber then returns to Pagès’ workshop for a final round of quality checks and control.
This collaboration with Massena LAB seems like Raúl is using this entry vehicle to promote a secondary line, similar to what Hajime Asaoka is doing with his Kurono Tokyo line. The effort started with the Magraph, continued with the Absinthe and now this Noctograph, all using the same M660 movement that he developed for the collab.
Release details
Massena LAB is proud to announce its latest release, Noctograph by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès, a wristwatch with a serene dial, elegant stainless steel case, and a proprietary movement designed by Massena LAB in collaboration with the independent watchmaker Raúl Pagès.
The third collaboration between Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès, the Noctograph is their first joint release following the March 2025 launch of the Raúl Pagès RP2, a three-hand timepiece with a minimalist, white dial and powered by a hand-finished movement from the watchmaker himself.
The Noctograph represents a synthesis of Raul Pagès’ distinctive aesthetic, melding the sublime minimalism exemplified by his RP2 with the classical and historical influences referenced by William Massena and Massena LAB. This fusion can be observed on the dial of the Noctograph, which is characterized by a prominent mainplate in a dark and curious shade of blue. Shifting in the light, the dial–which has been vertically brushed for visual interest–changes color from slate to petrol to deep midnight. Looking closely at the mainplate, sharp-eyed observers will note the subtle “Massena” signature, carefully engraved into the deep blue surface at 4 o’clock, recalling the faint ghost signature of Raúl Pagès on the RP2.
Surrounding the clean, blue dial is a bright chapter ring plated with rhodium and radially brushed. This outer section is marked with a fine, black railroad track showing the hours and minutes. At six o’clock, a second scale frames the small seconds counter, which is subtly sunken below the main dial for added depth. Floating above the dial, slightly reflecting off its brushed surface, are a pair of elegant feuille hands in stainless steel. Drawing inspiration from watches of the 1930s to the 1950s, these classic touches create a harmonious contrast with the dial’s more modernist elements, effortlessly blending the Massena and Pagès aesthetics.
Powering the Noctograph by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès is the caliber M660, a manual-winding, Swiss-made movement with hand-finishing and a power reserve of 60 hours.
Visible through its sapphire crystal caseback, the M660 features a broad plate with Côtes de Genève finishing as well as hand-chamfered plates and bridges. Taking the form of a tortoise (recalling his much celebrated automaton), Raúl Pagès’ signature, the poinçon Pagès, is tucked under the caliber’s balance wheel. Carefully framing the poinçon are overlapping decorative circles of perlage.
As with prior releases featuring the M660, this level of finishing demands an elevated blend of artistry and skill, typically reserved for timepieces commanding three times the price. While Pagès personally oversees and directs the production of the M660, the execution of his vision is entrusted to a select group of Swiss watchmakers, as Pagès himself does not engage directly in the production or decoration of the movement as he would in the creation of his own timepieces.
The Noctograph is housed in a 38.5mm stainless steel case with architecture inspired by dress watches from the 1940s and 50s. The case is brushed on its sides with polishing on its lugs and bezel for a spectacular finish. The watch is fitted with a leather strap in dove grey which is handmade in Italy for Massena LAB and fitted with a newly designed, stainless steel Massena LAB signature buckle.
Massena LAB & Raúl Pagès Technical Specifications:
● Model: Noctograph by Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès
● Limited edition of 99 pieces.
● Movement: M660. Manual-winding, proprietary Massena LAB caliber, designed and developed by Raúl Pagès. 28,800 half oscillations per hour (4Hz), power reserve of 60 hours, 21 jewels.
● Dial: Midnight blue. Vertically brushed. Rhodium-plated chapter ring and subsidiary dial. Stainless steel hour and minute hands. Steeled blue small seconds hand.
● Case: 316L stainless steel.
● Dimensions: 38.5mm, thickness: 10mm.
● Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
● Case back: Exhibition caseback. Engraved with a unique serial number.
● Strap: Calfskin leather in dove grey, made in Italy. Massena-LAB-designed buckle in stainless steel.
● Lug Width: 20mm
