Massena LAB, the creative studio founded by William Massena, has been developing rather a lot of unique, limited edition timepieces as of late with some of our favourite smaller, independent watchmakers. We’ve seen them work with brands like Louis Erard, Angelus and of course UNIMATIC.
U5S-ML - Credit Unimatic
The new UNIMATIC X Massena LAB Modello Cinque U5S-ML watch which lands today is not the first collaborative piece from the duo, but the seventh. Previously, we’ve seen UNIMATIC’s first bronze watch, a gorgeous chocolate-dialled U1-ML6, a blue-dialled U1-MLM inspired by the Marine Nationale watches of the 1960’s and plenty more. All of these watches were barely on sale before they sold-out, and looking at the new Modello Cinque U5S-ML, that might be an issue once again.
U5S-ML - Credit Unimatic
The novelty marks the first occasion UNIMATIC has produced a watch with a case diameter of 36mm. Its compact size opens up the target audience to basically everyone. I’ve said it before in an article named “Why we need more 36mm watches”, but it’s a great case size complimenting wrist of both men and women and I’m happy to see more watchmakers realising there’s many of us wanting more!
Giovanni Moro UNIMATIC’s co-founder and co-designer elaborates on the 36mm size:
“The newly designed Modello Cinque, the first UNIMATIC watch to measure 36mm, incorporates all of what we like best about smaller diameter watches. The case features a large dial opening with an angled rehaut; which, when combined with oversized crown and curved lugs, creates a case profile that is both comfortable and flattering to a variety of wrist sizes. Many other subtle design details combine to produce a balanced and nuanced watch, which aims to blend in rather than stand out.”
U5S-ML - Credit Unimatic
Despite its smaller size, the UNIMATIC X Massena LAB Modello Cinque U5S-ML watch is still a statement piece. The bezel in particular stands tall against the sloped dial and a large knurled crown is positioned at 3 o’clock. The stainless steel case is classic yet contemporary with brushed finishing and a height of just 11.05mm. Turning the watch over reveals a closed case back with a custom UNIMATIC x Massena LAB Fibonacci Sequence motif and its limited edition status out of 300 pieces.
U5S-ML - Credit Unimatic
According to UNIMATIC, the stylings of the watch are inspired by mid-century industrial design, like the work of Dieter Rams, or vintage Bavarian automobile dashboards dating to the 1960s and 70s. I can certainly see that on the dial which is minimalist with a black matte backdrop printed with glossy white hour markers. A matching black date window is included at 6 o’clock and the yellow-accented lollipop seconds hand and sword-shaped hour and minutes ensure easy legibility in the dark with Super-LumiNova® C1.
U5S-ML - Credit Unimatic
For its engine, Modello Cinque U5S-ML elects the Swiss-made, manual winding Sellita SW200-1 movement. It has 26 jewels, a frequency of 28,800vph and a 41-hour power reserve. With every order of the 300-piece limited edition, you’ll receive two straps: the first is a black tapered TPU strap and the second is a TPU strap in straw yellow, the same shade used on the tip of the dial’s second hand. Each example is also presented in in a branded UNIMATIC x Massena LAB tough case with a warranty card and unique ID seal.
U5S-ML - Credit Unimatic
As mentioned, if this new collaborative piece is like any of those done previously by UNIMATIC and Massena LAB, it’s not going to be around for long. It will be produced in a limited edition run of 300 pieces and sold exclusively at www.massenalab.com for a retail price of $995.
Technical Specifications:
- Brand: UNIMATIC X Massena LAB
- Model: Modello Cinque U5S-ML
- Price: $995
- Material: Stainless steel
- Movement: Sellita SW200-1 manual winding
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Dial: Black with luminous hands
- Size: 36mm wide, 11.05mm tall
- Limited: 300 pieces
- When the reviewer would personally wear it: I’d love to try this watch on for size. The 36mm diameter is very suited to my smaller wrists and I love the minimalist dial.
- A friend we’d recommend it to first: A collector of UNIMATIC’s limited editions.
- Best characteristics of the watch: The 36mm case size.
- The worst characteristics of the watch: You could argue it’s a slightly boring colour combination for UNIMATIC’s first ever 36mm watch, but black and white is a classic for good reason and I have no doubt this watch will be another sell-out for the duo.
