The New Habring2 Erwin-LAB03 For Massena LAB

August 24, 2021

Its only been a few years since William Massena launched Massena LAB in 2018, but the brand has already developed a following of fans who appreciate its unique take on small-scale watchmaking, unusual dials, and highly executed vintage details. While the Massena LAB Uni-Racer remains a strong contender for anyone seeking a midcentury-inspired chronograph for under $5k, its the limited-edition collabs with brands like MB&F, Ming, and Unimatic where Massena LAB really lets loose creatively. The new Habring2 x Massena LAB ERWIN LAB03, a vintage-inspired steel dress watch with a beautifully hand-finished dial, an in-house caliber, and a chronometer certification from the Horological Society of New York is just that kind of piece. Massenas third outing with Austrian watchmaking duo Maria and Richard Habring, the new Habring2 x Massena LAB ERWIN LAB03 riffs on the profile of Habring2s Erwin, keeping its 38.5mm case and embellishing its dial and movement with esoteric finishes. Like those previous Erwin collabs, its being produced in an extremely limited release (just 66 pieces), and priced at the not-unreasonable sum of $9,450. While the Habring2 Caliber A11MS hand-wound movement powering this limited-edition is a stunner (more on that later) the Habring2 x Massena LAB ERWIN LAB03 is clearly dedicated to all of the dial-lovers in the house. Designed by Massena and crafted by high school principal-turned boutique watchmaker Joshua N. Shapiro, the dial is made entirely of bronze, a material that lends the dial its unique salmon hue. The center of the dial features a basketweave pattern painstakingly engine-turned by Shapiro on an 80-year-old straight-line guilloch machine in his Los Angeles workshop. The grain on the outermost portion of the dial, meanwhile, is achieved using a Water of Ayr stone C an obscure type of traditional whetstone mined from the banks of the River Ayr in Scotland. Where the two previous Massena x Habring2 models featured Arabic numerals and sword-shaped hands, this one takes things in a new direction with navy blue Breguet-style hands and painted navy Roman numerals at 12, three, six, and nine. As with Massenas other Habring2 collabs, this one is powered by the Caliber A11MS, a hand-wound movement created by Richard and Maria Habring at their manufacture in Volkermarkt, Austria. The patented deadbeat seconds mechanism (also known as a jump seconds), ticks precisely around the dial in one-second increments thanks to a gilded wheel and click spring. Visible through the display caseback, the movement is plated in rhodium for durability, and in 5N rose gold to match the bronze dial. As previously mentioned, the Habring2 x Massena LAB ERWIN LAB03 is also among the first watches in the world to be chronometer-certified by the Horological Society of New York (HSNY), which registered its HSNY Certified Chronometer designation with the U.S. Patent Office earlier this summer. What We Think Frankly, theres a lot to like about the Habring2 x Massena LAB ERWIN LAB03. For one thing, it brings together the unique and prodigious talents of William Massena, Joshua N. Shapiro, Richard and Maria Habring, and the HSNY. For another, the level of finishing here is exceptional value for the price. The basketweave guilloch work is of the kind only done by a handful of master craftspeople at the highest echelons of watchmaking, and definitely not something you find in many (or any?) other sub-$10k watches. It also provides a great opportunity to own a piece by Habring2, whose whimsical approach to movement design and Austrian provenance makes them a standout among small watchmakers. They also have a very cute backstory about love and watches told graphic novel-style on their website. Whats not to like about that? If you want to find fault with this watch, you certainly can. The numerals being painted on rather than applied wont be everyones cup of tea, but the juxtaposition of flat numerals against the guilloch detailing and Water of Ayr graining, creates an interesting balance of textures and adds a touch of irreverence. Its the kind of thing that people love about Massena LABs collabs, and makes this limited-edition likely to sell out as quickly as their previous ones have. The Basics Brand:?Massena LABModel:?Habring2 ERWIN LAB03 Diameter:?38.5mmCase Material:?Stainless steelDial Color:?SalmonCrystal: SapphireIndexes:?Navy blueWater Resistance:?50 metersStrap/Bracelet:?Dark blue deer leather strap with stainless steel tang buckle The Movement Caliber:?Manufacture in-house Caliber A11MS Functions:?Hours, minutes, dead-beat seconds?Diameter: 30mm?Height: 5.7mmPower Reserve:?48 hoursFrequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)Winding:?Hand-wound?Jewels:?21Chronometer Certified:?HSNY Additional Details:?Sapphire crystal case back ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? Pricing & Availability Price:?$9,450Availability:?Exclusively through Massena LAB onlineLimited Edition:?66 individually numbered pieces Jeremy Freed is a freelance writer living in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. When he's not writing about watches,?food, and interior design, you can find him at the beach. Shop this story For more information on the The Habring2 Erwin-LAB03 For Massena LAB visit Massena LAB.