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INTRODUCING: Louis Erard x Massena LAB team up to debut two frosty Le Régulateur limited editions INTRODUCING: Louis Erard x Massena LAB team up to debut two frosty Le Régulateur limited editions

INTRODUCING: Louis Erard x Massena LAB team up to debut two frosty Le Régulateur limited editions

Zach Blass

Back in October, we covered the Old School by Massena LAB x Luca Soprana – a montre d’école inspired limited edition crafted and assembled by master watchmaker Luca Soprana.

Massena LAB x Luca Soprana

The watch was a limited edition of 11 pieces, and, considering all the hand-craftsmanship that went into building each watch it expectedly carried quite a price tag of $39,500 USD. As a result, it was definitely not a watch for everyone. But it was certainly handsome, and it left some watch lovers wondering if there would ever be a more price-approachable option to explore that shared its aesthetic sensibilities. Well that day has now arrived, thanks to Louis Erard x Massena LAB teaming up, for the first time, to introduce two frosty Le Régulateur limited editions. Louis Erard is known for presenting intriguing design at considerably good value, making them the perfect partner for Massena LAB to re-explore, in a sense, the Old School aesthetic in a regulator format.

Louis Erard x Massena LAB

The Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Massena LAB stainless steel case is 42mm in diameter, 12.5mm thick, and entirely mirror polished. I personally would prefer a sub -40mm diameter, but 42mm is standard size across many of Louis Erard’s lines. At just shy of 50mm lug-to-lug, it is not the most compact – but it is manageable for an average wrist without a doubt. Looking at this watch, you might assume it should only be worn on land. But if you source a suitable rubber strap for it, you can take advantage of its 50m of water-resistance surface swimming in water.

Louis Erard x Massena LAB

The two dial configurations, which are each limited to 178 pieces, are elegantly layered and textured. The largest surface of the dial is frosted in texture, and either rhodium or 2N gold plated depending on the configuration you choose. Both, however, utilize blued-steel hands for the hours and running seconds register, as well as the central minutes hand. The hours register at 12′ denotes the hours through a series of hashes and Roman numerals printed on a raised and radially brushed chapter ring – the hand set on stepped and sunken matte surface.

Louis Erard x Massena LAB

At 6′, the running seconds register is also framed with a rhodium-plated ring, but the entire disc is sunken – the indication printed in railroad and sector style. Moving outboard, a railroad minutes track is printed on a raised chapter ring, corresponding to the central minutes hand. Both configurations are outfitted on a textured black calfskin leather strap. If you want to experiment beyond the factory supplied strap, they are easy to remove thanks to the quick-release tabs found on their underside.

Inside, you have a reliable Sellita 266-1 calibre that will provide a robust and accurate timekeeping experience befitting of a Swiss Made watch. It is it a movement that really needs to be exhibited? Not particularly. But it certainly keeps costs down, and, regardless of the level of decoration, it is always fun to be able to see the heart of your watch beating, or ticking, away.

Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Massena LAB pricing and availability:

The Le Régulateur Louis Erard x Massena LAB is a limited-edition of 178 pieces in each variant (Gold or Rhodium) . The watch will be available for purchase at www.massenalab.com, at louiserard.com, and at select Louis Erard retailers. A full list of Louis Erard retailers can be found on their website. Price: $3,950 USD

Case Material Stainless Steel
Case Dimensions 42mm x 12.5mm
Water-Resistance 50m
Dials Frosted Gold or Rhodium
Strap Black calfskin with quick-release tabs
Movement Sellita 266-1
Power Reserve 38 hours
Complications Hours, minutes, seconds
Availability Now, Limited Edition of 178 pcs. For each variant
Price $3,950 USD