The Absinthe is a limited-edition dress watch made by Massena LAB with independent Swiss watchmaker Raúl Pagès. Its defining features are a vertically brushed green ombré dial, the jointly designed hand-wound M690 movement, and an optional individual chronometer-testing program. Massena LAB’s current listing gives a price of US$9,900, but marks the watch sold out and offers a waitlist.
What is the Absinthe?
Massena LAB and Raúl Pagès made 99 examples of the Absinthe. The collaboration builds on their work together on the Magraph; Massena LAB says the partnership was formalized in 2022. Pagès is an independent Swiss watchmaker based in Les Brenets and a member of the Académie Horlogère des Créateurs Indépendants, according to Massena LAB’s profile.
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The Absinthe takes a restrained dress-watch format and gives it a more unusual focal point: a green dial that shifts from near-black to emerald. Small seconds sit at 9 o’clock, a position that also distinguishes its movement from the M660 iteration on which the M690 is based.
Case, dial, and wear
| Specification | Absinthe |
|---|---|
| Case | 316L stainless steel; 38.5 mm diameter and 10 mm thick |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM |
| Crystal | Sapphire, with anti-reflective coating on both sides; sapphire exhibition caseback |
| Dial and display | Vertically brushed green ombré dial; rhodium-plated hands and indices; small seconds at 9 o’clock |
| Strap | Midnight-blue Saffiano leather with a steel buckle; Monochrome reports a 20 mm width |
These specifications are listed by Massena LAB, with the strap width reported by Monochrome Watches. A 5 ATM rating is a stated water-resistance specification, not a reason to treat this dress watch as a purpose-built swimming watch.
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What is inside: the M690 movement
The M690 is a Swiss-made, manual-winding proprietary caliber designed by Massena LAB and Pagès. Massena LAB describes it as an iteration of the M660, with small seconds moved from 6 o’clock to 9 o’clock. The maker says Pagès supervises production by a small network of Swiss watchmakers; this collaborative caliber should not be confused with the movements Pagès personally produces and decorates for his own creations.
| M690 detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Winding | Manual |
| Jewels | 17 |
| Frequency | 28,800 half-oscillations per hour (4 Hz) |
| Power reserve | 60 hours |
| Adjustment | Heat, cold, isochronism, and five positions |
| Finishing | Hand-chamfered plates and bridges, Côtes de Genève, and perlage |
The movement’s hand-wound format and visible finishing are central to the watch’s appeal for someone who wants a mechanically engaging dress watch rather than an automatic daily wearer. Its stated 60-hour reserve means it can run beyond two days when fully wound, though actual running time depends on use and condition.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Price, availability, and ordering
Massena LAB’s current product listing gives the Absinthe a price of US$9,900 and a US$3,000 deposit to secure an order. The listing currently marks it sold out and provides a waitlist option, so the displayed price should not be read as confirmation that an example can be ordered immediately. The maker says deliveries are made in batches of five to seven watches per month, with timing confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. It lists a two-year guarantee. These current terms are on the Massena LAB product page.
The price has changed since launch. Monochrome’s 2024 launch coverage reported US$8,675, or US$8,975 with HSNY certification, and said delivery was expected to begin in July 2024. Those are historical launch-era figures, not the current listing price.
Is the HSNY chronometer option worth considering?
Massena LAB offers optional HSNY Certified Chronometer testing for an additional US$500. Its product listing says testing takes approximately four weeks, uses different temperatures and positions, and results in an individual physical certificate. The maker describes the protocol as exceeding ISO 3159 standards; that is Massena LAB’s characterization of the program, rather than an independent evaluation in this article. The option is relevant to buyers who value a documented individual test result, but it is not included in the listed watch price.
The distinction matters: the M690’s adjustment to heat, cold, isochronism, and five positions is a movement specification from the maker, while the optional program is a separate test of the individual watch. Massena LAB says purchasers have the opportunity to send the Absinthe to the Horological Society of New York for testing; consult the product listing for the current option and ordering details.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
