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Habring Erwin LAB 01 for Massena Lab, 2018 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Habring Erwin LAB 01 for Massena Lab, 2018

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Habring² (maker)
Date
2018
Country of origin
Austria
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 38.5 mm
Stock no.
Product 4361704996951
Credit line
Dealer listing, S.Song Watches (product 4361704996951)
Catalogue title (original)
Habring Erwin LAB 01 for Massena Lab (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by S.Song Watches (dealer), Seattle (stock number Product 4361704996951), this is a wristwatch by Habring², made in Austria, dated 2018. The Atlas places it in the Contemporary Horology period (2010 – Present) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 38.5 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — S.Song Watches

Massena Lab, on the other hand, was started by industry heavyweight and veteran, William Massena with the idea of collaborating with existing brands to produce pieces in series. When the two brands came together, we all knew it was going to be good. The result is what you see here, the Erwin LAB01. Housed in a 38.5mm polished bronze case, this in itself is a highly unusual finish for bronze, giving off a feel more akin to yellow gold. The oxidization on the case will occur adding a vintage feel to the watch but rest assured, it can be cleaned off easily if you want to return to that high shine finish. Moving on to the dial, it is reminiscent of vintage Patek Philippe Ref. 96 sector dials and it is just stunning. With gold numerals and indexes recessed into the black dial, you do get a very vintage feel and depth that a-lot of modern watches miss out on. Flipping the watch over and you are greeted with the Habring in-house Cal. A11s movement. It is a dead beat movement, which makes sense together with the sector dial and it is a very pretty sight.

Historical context

Contemporary Horology (2010 – Present)

Silicon components, connected watches, optical-lattice research clocks and a thriving independent scene.

Smartwatches became the world's best-selling watches, while mechanical watchmaking focuses on craft, innovation (silicon components, new escapements) and independent makers.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Mechanical Renaissance

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Detached lever escapementIdentification Centre

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