AM2 Nyctalope Carbon: A 1970s Revival in Forged Black

For its March 2026 Millésime edition, March LA.B recasts the octagonal AM2 in lightweight carbon fibre with elevated nocturnal performance.

March LA.B

Spring has here, and the French brand March LA is present.B commemorates its preferred month with a limited edition of its premier AM2 watch collection. Established in 2009 by three friends, united by a fervour for surfing and vintage style, the LA.The "B" in the brand's name does not denote a laboratory but rather signifies the Los Angeles homes of designer Jérôme Mage and Biarritz, the home of CEO Alain Marhic and financial advisor Joseph Châtel. The Millésime March 2026, rapidly establishing itself as an annual tradition, revisits its octagonal AM2 design from the 1970s, featuring a forged carbon case and a green dial with remarkable luminosity, following the releases of the Millésime AM2s in 2024 and 2025.

The AM1, which developed into the AM2, was launched in 2011 and was influenced by American muscle cars like the Shelby Cobra and the Ford Mustang. The AM2, offered in 39mm and 36mm casings featuring three hands along with date, GMT, and calendar functions, is distinguished by its angular octagonal case and robust 1970s aesthetic.

The striking octagonal carbon fibre housing showcases the AM2’s distinctive sloping facets, a prominent recessed knurled crown positioned at 4 o’clock, and a sufficient water resistance of 100 meters. The 38mm diameter and 12.8mm thickness indicate that the intricate finishes of the steel and titanium variants are relinquished in favour of forged carbon fibre. Forged carbon fibre, created by compression moulds, is a composite of randomly orientated fibre strands combined with resin under elevated heat and pressure, resulting in a distinctive marbled appearance and enhanced strength and impact resistance. The mottled and matte carbon fibre is infused with green strands, reflecting the brand's affinity for the colour green.

March LA.B

The dial is dark green, including a framed date window at 6 o’clock that displays a vivid green “3.” A detailed examination uncovers the rough design of the elevated octagonal center, reflecting the "armoured" theme of the jacquard cloth straps. The AM2 features bar-shaped indices positioned horizontally, vertically, or at an angle.

In English, the term "nyctalope" denotes individuals with night blindness, however in French, it describes individuals or animals that can see in the dark, a characteristic illustrated by the glowing features on the dial. Constructed from solid blocks of Super-LumiNova, the double-bar indices and small circular marks along the periphery generate a pronounced green luminescence in darkness, enhanced by the slender stripe of SLN within the tuning fork-shaped hour and minute hands. The porthole-shaped sapphire crystal on the caseback is tinted green and displays the openworked rotor of the La Joux-Perret G100 calibre, an automatic movement featuring a substantial power reserve of 68 hours and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The watch is supplied with two interchangeable jacquard-woven straps by Julien Faure: one black strap featuring a titanium buckle and another green-and-black strap equipped with a black PVD steel buckle. This is a limited edition of 169 units, priced at EUR 2,495 (including tax). Additional details can be found at march-lab.com.