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

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

Anonymous
 
bgrisso
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Larry S Larry S
From Baltic:

“Hi Lawrence,

Thanks for reaching us.

The distortion on the picture is due to the high dome. We let it appear voluntarily.

Feel free if you need anything else.

Best,
The BALTIC Team”

what a load of bollocks
 
DSOTM
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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."
 
eugeneandresson
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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’?
 
JwRosenthal
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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 🙄
 
JwRosenthal
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eugeneandresson eugeneandresson
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’?
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.
 
bgrisso
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eugeneandresson eugeneandresson
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’?

for me, yes
 
bgrisso
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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.
 
Larry S
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bgrisso bgrisso
what a load of bollocks
I went back at them hard to be honest. They are stubbornly resisting advice. I surrender. Again they defended the picture.
Edited:
 
Larry S
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bgrisso bgrisso
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.
::facepalm1::
 
Civic4982
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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.
 
JwRosenthal
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Civic4982 Civic4982
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.
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.
 
dsacks30
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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
 
jhross98
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dsacks30 dsacks30
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

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
 
Caliber561
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jhross98 jhross98
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
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.
 
Evitzee
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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.
 
Larry S
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jhross98 jhross98
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
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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