The latest creation from Massena LAB, which launched last week and quickly sold out, is a collaboration with independent watchmaker Luca Soprano, and is something of a tribute to watchmaking itself. The watch, dubbed ?Old School,? is not a reference to classic video games or an invitation to go streaking, but a tribute to the concept of the montre d?e?cole, or ?school watch.? A school watch is a timepiece that?s designed and made by an apprentice watchmaker and later evaluated by a master watchmaker. It?s akin to a final project undertaken by the most talented apprentices, and can take a full year to complete. A particularly high value is placed on movement finishing in a montre d?e?cole, so as you?d expect, the Old School is decorated to the nines. 
This watch is finished and constructed in a way that?s reminiscent of classic German watchmaking. This can most readily be seen in the straight grain finishing on the movement plates along with the use of gold chatons. The three-quarter plate employed here (made of German silver) is also strongly associated with the finest German watches. The movement features flourishes like a blued steel balance spring, swan neck regulating system, and a bi-matallic balance wheel. 

The dial is a design by William Massena himself, and was inspired by 18th century marine chronometers, and features a sector layout that he?s also played with in previous Massena LAB creations, such as his release with Habring a few years ago. Ac...