Albishorn x Massena LAB Maxigraph

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?

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.

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 of 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.”

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.

Technical specifications

Albishorn x Massena LAB Maxigraph

Produced in small quantities of about 25 watches per batch

Case

• Material:  316L stainless steel
• Diameter: 39mm case; 41mm with bezel
• Thickness: 13mm
• Lug to lug: 47.7mm
• Crystal: Sapphire box crystal
• Crown at 10 o'clock, red aluminum monopusher at 9 o'clock
• Case back: Caseback 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

Dial and hands

• Silvered sector dial with luminous hands, regatta timer at 7 o’clock, running indicator at 4 o’clock.

Movement

• Proprietary, self-winding caliber, monopusher chronograph
• Height: 6.6mm
• Frequency: 28'800 vph (4 Hz)
• Power reserve of 64 hours

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes
• Monopusher chronograph with patented ten-minute countdown regatta timer
• Running indicator.

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

MSRP: USD 4'995

For more information, please visit massenalab.com