Sylvain Pinaud Monopoussoir Chronograph Overview

quattro · 2025-11-30T06:32:16Z

Explore the Sylvain Pinaud Monopoussoir Chronograph, from its award-winning origins to design iterations. A deep dive into this independent watchmaker's unique vision.

quattro

WPS member · Independents forum

13 replies480 views23 photos

Emmanuel, known as quattro on WatchProSite, provides a detailed overview of the Sylvain Pinaud Monopoussoir Chronograph. His post meticulously documents the watch's technical specifications and aesthetic evolution across its various iterations. This article highlights why this independent creation, a winner of the 'Meilleurs Ouvriers de France' competition, continues to captivate collectors with its unique blend of artisanal craftsmanship and distinctive design.

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Created in 2019 by Sylvain Pinaud, this Monopoussoir Chronograph is a single pusher column-wheel chronograph with horizontal clutch and a semi instantaneous 45 Minutes counter.

The manual winding movement uses the geartrain and escapement of the ETA 6497 and beats at 2.5 Hz.

The grade 5 titanium case measures 42 x 12.5 mm and features a bezel fixed by four screws and separated from the mid-case by a peripheral glass allowing the movement to be observed from a new angle.

Made for the "Meilleurs Ouvriers de France" (Best Craftsmen of France) competition, the Monopoussoir Chronograph was awarded the top prize in the ‘precision techniques’ category.

As this competition dictates that only artisanal crafts can be utilised, except for a very few parts, everything has been done by hand.

Best, Emmanuel

A/ FIRST ITERATION

Grey hours and minutes track

Silver central bridge

Sapphire sub-dials

Blued hands for the chrono and the time

Round opening on the case back showing the balance wheel.

credit: Monochrome & @thewatchpress

B/ SECOND ITERATION

Watchmaker's name at 12 o'clock

Silver minutes track and 45 minutes counter

Blackened central bridge

Black hours track and small seconds

Blued hands for the chrono only

credit: @igwatchlover & &horonut

C/ THIRD ITERATION, ref. 2020 MC

Silver minutes track and sub-counters

Black sub-dial at 12 o'clock with watchmaker's name and "Chronographe"

Blackened central bridge

Larger opening on the case back

credit: @shani.watch & Sylvain Pinaud

Review by Tim Mosso

D/ THE MASSENA LAB ITERATION, LAUREATE OF THE 2024 GPHG CHRONOGRAPH WATCH PRIZE

Redesigned bezel without the four screws

Silver central bridge

Silver minutes track and 45 minutes counter

Dark grey hours and seconds track

Sapphire case back with redesigned display of the balance wheel

credit: @therealmassena, @independentintime & Massena Lab

Hands-on video by Watch I Love Magazine

Key Points from the Discussion

The 'third iteration' presented in the original post is actually the first version of the Sylvain Pinaud Monopoussoir Chronograph, a prototype that was later refinished. The original four-screw case design, while atypical, is central to its 'punk rock' and 'raw, industrial aesthetic'.
While some collectors appreciate the original four-screw bezel for its unique, raw aesthetic, others, including quattro, find the Massena Lab collaboration's smoothed, screw-less bezel more appealing, aligning with a more conventional design preference.
The movement of the Sylvain Pinaud Monopoussoir Chronograph is widely praised for its superb craftsmanship, but the case design, particularly the four-screw bezel, draws comparisons to brands like Romain Jerome, which can be polarizing for collectors.
The original author, quattro, reiterates a preference for the initial raw, industrial design with the visible screws, believing it better embodies the watch's original spirit compared to the later, more refined Massena Lab version.

The Discussion

KMII

Nov 30, 2025

Very interesting aesthetic 👌🏻👍🏻

I have to say that in terms of case I really prefer the Massena colab without the four screws. As for the dial, either the first or the second iteration work best to my eyes. But all are enticing 🙌🏻

quattro

Nov 30, 2025

I'm not very much into openwork aesthetic,

but I like the raw, industrial design (with the screws!). My favorite is the first one. Best, Emmanuel

KMII

Nov 30, 2025

I can definitely see that 👍🏻

The screws on the case don’t do it for me unfortunately. The rest very much so 👌🏻

quattro

Nov 30, 2025

You might be right. In person, the Massena might be more appealing than the "screws" variants.

KMII

Nov 30, 2025

Now that’s not an easy thing…

To see several in the metal at once 😊🤷🏻‍♂️

Bruno.M1

Nov 30, 2025

the last with Massena !!

that is a gorgeous watch. The movement is superb but the case is weird. Looks like some Romain Jerome and thats absolutely NOT my taste. But as said the normal round case makes it a winner

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