Introducing the new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date
Thursday - 15 April 2021
Embodying the excellence of its watchmaking expertise, Maurice Lacroix releases the new Aikon Master Grand Date, equipped with a new in-house calibre whose beautiful floating balance wheel is revealed through a unique skeleton opening.
The Watches & wonders 2021 event marks a new chapter for the Swiss watch industry and many of the world’s most prestigious luxury watch brands this year. Similarly, Maurice Lacroix is doing things differently too, starting with its new take on the popular Aikon watch. The Maurice Lacroix Aikon watch is the brand’s take on the luxury sports watch and has been a widely accessible collector’s piece thanks to its affordable price tag. This time around, the new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date combines some really useful day-to-day functions with a new in-house calibre. At a glance, the new model belonging to the manufacturer’s flagship collection may share the same case and general design with the Aikon, but interestingly, its dial recalls that of the Masterpiece collection. Its stunning matte blue dial plate comprises a set of off-centre dials and functions, together with an open-heart feature that exposes some elements of the Calibre ML331. This, no doubt, adds to the appeal of the watch since others from the Aikon collection have been fitted with outsourced movements. Secondly, it is the attention-to-detail and meticulous finishes of the new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date watch that will appeal to both experienced and new collectors alike. Let’s take a look at the new Maurice Lacroix release in a little more detail…
A glimpse through the dial
Part of the appeal of owning a mechanical watch, whether that be an automatic or manual-winding one, is to admire the complexity of its movement. Automatic watches often feature a sapphire-backed case where the meticulous arrangement and the performance of the movement can be admired through a transparent caseback feature, together with its intricate decoration. Doubly intriguing, however, is the concept of a partially skeletonised dial – a chance to enjoy both the passing hours of the day on a traditional dial, but also a beautifully proportioned viewing hole to catch a glimpse of the beating heart that lies within. The new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date watch offers this with a carefully crafted balance wheel suspended between the watch’s sapphire crystal glass front and caseback. The floating balance bridge reveals the watch’s regulating system sitting below a double date feature at 10 o’clock. Concealing the view straight through to the back of the case is an intermittently passing rotor that has been brushed and snailed for a decorative finish. The ML331 can store a total power reserve of 50 hours and beats at a rate of 18,000 vibrations per hour. As mentioned before, turning the 100-meter water-resistant case of the Aikon Master Grand Date watch over reveals a more generous view of the Calibre in working motion.
The double date feature of the new Maurice Lacroix Aikon watch is recessed behind the surface level of the dial. Cleverly this prevents having to expand the thickness of the dial and the watch itself. Instead, the numerals dressed against a white background are set back from the dial’s surface level and have been framed in a brushed effect – their shape echoing the distinct polished chamfers of the Aikon’s bezel. The main hour and minute hands of the off-centre main timekeeping display are set against a Clous de Paris surface finish. This dial is set against a grained dial plate finished in the same deep shade of blue. The small second sub-dial sits above a well that reveals the self-winding Calibre ML331 at work. This unusual dial layout enables the new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date watch to take on a whole new identity. Its clever proportions, high contrast finishes and playful mix of textures enhance visibility. The watch takes on an urban, dynamic and masculine persona, introducing a refreshing take on the popular luxury sports watch.
The Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date measures a 45mm case size crafted from stainless steel. The arms positioned on the bezel are an instantly recognizable look of the Aikon – a feature that enhances its overall rugged sports watch look. The model also features integrated lugs and comes finished on a deep blue Cordura bracelet in a matching deep matte blue hue with tone on tone stitching. Alternatively, the strap can be swapped with the additional 5-row stainless steel bracelet supplied, thanks to an innovative easy change system. The bracelet and strap secure with a polished rhodium folding buckle engraved with the Maurice Lacroix logo.
For more information on the new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date watch, you can visit the product page here at Jura Watches or call a member of our sales team on 10335 453453.
Technical specifications of the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date watch
- Reference: AI6118-SS00E-430-C
- Case: Stainless steel – diameter: 45mm – height: 15mm – 100-meter water-resistant – brushed and polished – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front and back – bezel with polished arms
- Dial: Deep blue Clous de Paris hour and minute off-centre dial – grained deep blue dial plate – rhodium markers and hands – Super-LumiNova inlaid main hands – rhodium big date at 10 o’clock – skeletonised circular balance wheel at 8 o’clock – small seconds sub-dial aligned with 4 o’clock
- Movement: in-house self-winding Calibre ML331 – hours, minutes, small seconds, big date – 50-hour power reserve – 18,000 v.p.h
- Strap: 5-row stainless steel link bracelet – additional dark blue Cordura strap – tone-on-tone stitching – polished rhodium folding clasp engraved with ML logo – easy change system
- Price: £6,990
