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Massena LAB Release - a Uni-Compax reissue within days?

  1. Enzo Oct 20, 2020

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    I do like the look of the white one, and some of the little details...but agree with the comments about pricing!
     
  2. DSOTM Oct 20, 2020

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  3. mzinski Oct 20, 2020

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    You know - I like it. Compelling design details like the case size, recreation of the "big eye" proportions of the dial design, and signed crystal and buckle. I actually don't take issue with a Sellita movement, particularly when it's an elabore. As a quick aside, I don't understand the disregard for Sellita. They were one of ETA's movement manufacturers for years until Swatch Group revised their rules around outside contractors and patents expired. Since then they continue to produce "ETA" movements.
    But I will admit, I cannot unsee the vintage original posted earlier in this thread. I kept going back to it, thinking, "I like this even more." What strikes me is the minuscule details of UG make it just that bit more better. Looking closely at the font, the UG has small serifs. And, of course, patina. Patina makes everything better, doesn't it?
    At $3,450, I'm unlikely to pick one up even though I'm tempted.
     
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  4. HeuerLoon Oct 20, 2020

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    “Where is Dan Henry when we need him? He can offer this watch for $300.”

    Anonymous
     
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  5. bgrisso Oct 20, 2020

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    what a load of bollocks
     
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  6. DSOTM Oct 20, 2020

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    Also, is it a limited edition or not?

    -Hodinkee:
    "Each caseback has a number on it, a serial that is unique to the case. It's not a limited-edition number per se. Massena didn't want a watch that said "1 of 200" or something similar."
    -Massena:
    "We approached Universal Geneve, but received no response, so Massena LAB created the Uni-Racer in a limited production of 200 watches in two colorways."
     
  7. eugeneandresson 'I used a hammer, a chisel, and my fingers' Oct 20, 2020

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    Whilst I completely agree with the consensus in this thread re ‘homage’, I can’t help wonder : let’s say ML got a ‘yes’ from UG, which is now a Asian owned and no longer the same company, and produces ... well ... (call it what you like) ... would that have been more ‘legitimate’?
     
  8. JwRosenthal Oct 20, 2020

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    Dinky has it- it will be gone in 12 minutes and on c24 for $7k by next week. So much for my grandstanding about not being valued like the original :rolleyes:
     
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  9. JwRosenthal Oct 20, 2020

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    I think if it were branded and marketed by UG, then possibly yes. Longines is not the same company it was but their heritage line is well respected.
     
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  10. bgrisso Oct 20, 2020

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    for me, yes
     
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  11. bgrisso Oct 20, 2020

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    PLEASE NOTE

    Editor's note: Watch companies sometimes announce new products to the HODINKEE editorial team and the HODINKEE Shop at the same time. Please note that the editorial team and the Shop team produce their content independently of each other.
     
  12. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Oct 20, 2020

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    I went back at them hard to be honest. They are stubbornly resisting advice. I surrender. Again they defended the picture.
     
    Edited Oct 20, 2020
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  13. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Oct 20, 2020

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    ::facepalm1::
     
  14. Civic4982 Oct 20, 2020

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    Nice homage and quality looking build.
    Still, the price has a lot of neighborly competition from other brands. I’m sure they’ll sell 200 though.
     
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  15. JwRosenthal Oct 20, 2020

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    If they hadn't partnered with Dinky I would have been hesitant to think they would have made the 200 at that pice point- but the partnership is brilliant for them- it makes it exclusive rather than rediculous and opened it up to the fashion statement crowd and not just the collectors.
    Bravo Massena- you figured out how to play the system.
     
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  16. dsacks30 Oct 20, 2020

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    Very interesting from @watchadmiral on Instagram - apparently he tried to file for a patent for Uni-Compax and was denied. He also tried to file a patent for Polerouter...

    436B6609-5896-4F44-9DA9-355EDE99CF44.jpeg
     
  17. jhross98 Oct 20, 2020

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    i mean i agree its a straight rip-off. . but so is every single historical re-issue like the zenith recent ones or the omega 321

    not a fan at all. come up with some original ideas. . .patek and rolex would never do a straight historical re-issue
     
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  18. Caliber561 Oct 20, 2020

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    I think the issue here is that ML is making a UG model, despite the fact they're not UG. It seems like you just have an issue with re-editions in general, so you're kind of missing the point.
     
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  19. Evitzee Oct 20, 2020

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    I think it looks decent, I'm not concerned whether it has UG on the dial or not, brand names and design have come and gone and hae been resurrected and reinvented. Blancpain is probably the king of reinventing itself. Can't get too excited about the price, either. These days $3,500 doesn't buy much from any of the mainline makers. This one is good looking, it looks like a quality piece of equipment. I know William, he wouldn't put out a piece of absolute crap. If I was in the market for such a watch I'd be tempted.
     
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  20. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Oct 20, 2020

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    IMO ...If I own the brand and I reissue or homage one of my archive designs, it’s not a rip off.
     
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