Massena LAB Releases A Pair Of Bronze Unimatic Modello Quattro

The connection between Massena LAB, the creative studio founded by William Massena, and Unimatic, the small boutique Italian watchmaker, is a long-lasting love story that has resulted in three specific models: the tropical-inspired Modello Uno, the French-inspired Marine model, and this Bund-Inspired watch. And the story continues today, marking the fourth collaboration for both parties and resulting in a pair of vintage-inspired models based on the sleek Modello Quattro. And these new Unimatic x Massena LAB U4S-BRZ-ML and U4S-BRZ-MLL also mark the first time the Italian brand uses bronze. 

The story behind these new U4S-BRZ-ML and U4S-BRZ-MLL models is a follow-up to a unique piece created by the Italian watchmaker for the Time for Aan rt charity auction, with its patinated bronze case. Using this style as a base, Massena LAB adds a steampunk vibe and Jules Verne inspiration, with a good dose of bronze for the cases – which is a first for Unimatic in a serially produced model.

Both editions are based on the classic Modello Quattro watch. While this watch embraces the “less is more” approach, it has robust specifications that could almost make it a dive watch. In this case, Unimatic has decided to get rid of the rotating bezel to deliver a more all-rounder style. Sleek and instrumental in its design, it focuses on the essential with a rather cool fat fixed bezel, and all surfaces are brushed in different angles – straight, circular, diagonal… Which gives the case more presence and more life. For the release of this duet of limited editions, Massena LAB and Unimatic have opted for a CuSn8 Bronze alloy, with a rich gold-like colour when new and some patina to be expected after some time on the wrist.

The case is reasonably dimensioned for a sporty, diver-like watch with a 40mm diameter, 12.4mm height and a 49mm lug-to-lug that must be taken into consideration. Both watches share the same specifications, with a titanium screwed caseback, an oversized screw-down crown and a thick sapphire crystal on top, all resulting in a comfortable 300m water-resistance. Both editions are delivered with two 22mm straps, a deep olive TPU (rubber-like) with a bronze buckle and a distressed leather strap, also with its own bronze buckle.

Inside the case, no surprises; the Unimatic x Massena LAB U4S-BRZ-ML and U4S-BRZ-MLL are powered by a tried-and-tested automatic movement, the Sellita SW200-1. Robust, easy to service, and precise enough, it allows for a reasonable price.

What makes these watches different is the dial. The U4S-BRZ-ML features a matte dial in deep olive, a bronze-tone signature, and plots of pale yellow Super-LumiNova for its hour markers and tone-on-tone green hands. The back is decorated with a cunning octopus. The other model, the U4S-BRZ-MLL (exclusive to Massena LAB), features a patterned tapisserie-like dial in a deep, burnt peat colour. Using a tone-on-tone ghost signature and the same light old radium luminous accents, the hands are gold-coloured, and the titanium caseback is decorated with a tapisserie pattern.

Availability & Price

The green Unimatic x Massena LAB U4S-BRZ-ML is a limited edition of 400 pieces, available now from Unimatic and Massena LAB for USD 895. The tapisserie peat-coloured Unimatic x Massena LAB U4S-BRZ-MLL is a limited edition of 99 pieces available exclusively from Massena LAB and priced at USD 995.