Introducing Sylvain Pinaud x Massena LAB Limited-Edition Monopusher Chronograph

A monopusher chronograph, also known as a single pusher chronograph, is a timepiece with a chronograph complication that has only one button instead of two. This mechanism can be mostly found on pocket or vintage watches. The new Chronograph Monopoussoir from GPHG winner Sylvain Pinaud has been created in association with Massena LAB, which designs, and develops unique, limited-edition timepieces with independent watchmakers from around the world. The new Sylvain Pinaud monopusher chronograph is limited to just 10 pieces and is the product of an intense process of watchmaking.

Usually, modern chronographs have two pushers, mostly at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock to start and restart the function. But when it comes to monopusher mechanisms, there is only a single pusher that operates the entire mechanism. This pusher can be placed anywhere on the case, depending on the movement, and pushing it once starts the chronograph while pushing it for the second time restarts the function. 

The 42 mm titanium watch comes with integrated grained lugs and a polished bezel. The dial has been created by Comblémine SA. There is a broad plate on the upper half of the dial, which is hand-frosted with hand-bevelled edges. The subdial at 12 o’clock displays hour and minutes with Arabic numerals for 12 o’clock, 3 o’clock, and 9 o’clock. This subdial is hand-finished with a frosted inner sector, showing off a bevelled edge and the circular graining of the hours and minutes sector track. 

The dial also consists of a 45-minute counter at 3 o’clock and a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock with black and white markers. There are blue steel chronograph and counter hands, along with gears and bridges of the chronograph movement, which are hand-finished. The peripheral glass on the watch makes it easier to view the movement from different angles.

Powering the watch is the manual-winding horizontal clutch movement with 45 hours of power reserve. The monopusher has been integrated into the crown at 3 o’clock, which can start, pause, and reset the mechanism. Turning the watch over showcases the sapphire caseback with an opening, exposing its large chronometer balance wheel.  Finishing the watch is an alligator strap, made in France by Jean Rousseau Paris for Massena LAB.