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Since its launch in 2016, the Maurice Lacroix Icon has remained the brand’s affordable flagship. Among the brand’s various experiments over the years, its high-definition cases have been adorned with artistic engravings, including the recently popular titanium version, as well as some models made from recycled ocean plastic. . The obvious route for a new case material is ceramic, and Maurice Lacroix has successfully created the Aikon, which is affordable, stylish, and improves on the quality of standard ceramic.
case
Aikon’s design takes inspiration from 1990’s Calypso, but it’s by no means a throwback, and proudly draws on other influences. Rather than using a geometric bezel to reflect the success of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the Icon uses a rounded bezel with six pairs of raised bars to establish its chunky character. The use of an integrated bracelet gives the watch a very distinctive silhouette, smooth and flowing, while emphasizing its harsh side. The pure matte black or polished white case only serves to emphasize the various changes in depth and angle, as if rendered artificially on the wrist.
Ceramic has usually been reserved for luxury watches thanks to its high scratch resistance and attractive luster, but Maurice Lacroix used the Icon Automatic Ceramic in a slightly different way. The white model has a decadent sheen that looks like it’s cut from milk solids, while the black model is matte for a more delicate approach. In addition to being stylistically versatile, Maurice Lacroix also fine-tuned the ceramic formulation to further increase its strength and hardness. In theory, Maurice Lacroix’s new “technical ceramic” means it’s more resistant to cracking than most other ceramic watches. There are 39mm and 42mm sizes, so you should be able to choose the one that suits you. It’s also impressive that a watch like this has a water resistance of 200 meters, especially considering its 11mm thickness despite having an automatic movement.
dial
Maintaining the same homologated effect as the pure ceramic case, the dial of the Maurice Lacroix Icon Automatic Ceramic is either solid white or solid black. The Clous de Paris motif is a perfect texture, with its roughness contrasting with the smoothness of the case, but the overall effect emphasizes its sharp edges. There’s also a concentric ring section around the dial for the minute markers, so they can be easily printed and read without hobnail interference.
What enhances the luxury of the white model is not only its luster, but also the color of the logo and hands, which are silver in color and easily reflect light when the baton is applied. The black model, on the other hand, is blacked out, with most of its legibility coming from the pure white luminous paint. The date window is well integrated in both versions, with only half of the 3 o’clock marker cut away.
bracelet
Aikon Ceramic’s one-piece bracelet is a fairly standard 5-link on the surface, but it’s crafted with great attention to detail. Ceramic is a tricky material, so special care was taken to ensure that all surfaces that touch the wrist remained comfortable and smooth. The links can also flex slightly, so if you prefer a snug fit, it won’t be too tight. The butterfly clasp is made of stainless steel to ensure long-term reliability and has a nearly seamless closure for a sleek look. The flat surface of the bracelet’s links, whether in black or white reference, gives the effect of rippling light as you move your wrist.
movement
Behind the sapphire exhibition caseback is a Maurice Lacroix ML-115, surrounded by a stainless steel ring to facilitate threading of the screws when tightening. It’s actually a Sellita SW200-1 with a customized rotor, but as far as affordable Swiss watches go, that’s only a good thing. It’s a design that’s been around for decades and has been thoroughly proven over the last few years, making it the equal of ETA in the minds of collectors. It has a 4Hz beat rate for a smooth second hand movement and a 38-hour power reserve, which is more than enough for an automatic watch to wear every day. The plate has a nice perlage decoration that makes it beautiful even when viewed from the back.
judgment
Maurice Lacroix’s iconic ceramics can be summed up in a simple stereotype: Royal Oak and Chanel J12 married to create a more affordable child. Of course, these two watches have their own distinct personalities, but if you like those watches, you’ll like Aikon too. Using Sellita movements is great because they are proven reliable and have a great reputation for accuracy, while at the same time being affordable, lowering the barrier to entry into ceramic watches. . Knowing that the technical ceramic material itself is an upgrade over regular ceramic is also a nice bonus, eliminating any doubts about potential manufacturing shortcuts or cost-cutting methods.
Maurice Lacroix Icon Automatic Ceramic Price and Availability
The new Maurice Lacroix Icon Automatic Ceramic is now available. Price: $3,300
Brand Maurice Lacroix Model Aikon Automatic Ceramic Case Dimensions 39mm (D) x 11mm (T)
42mm (D) x 11mm (T) Case material Black matte or white gloss ceramic Water resistance 200 meters Crystal Sapphire obverse and back Dial Black or white Clous de Paris Bracelet Integrated ceramic bracelet with elastic links Movement ML-115, Sellita SW200 -1, automatic Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, date Availability Currently available Price US$3,300
