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Introducing Maurice Lacroix Aikon Grand Date Technicolor

by Bhanu Chopra . May 1, 2023

Introducing Maurice Lacroix Aikon Grand Date Technicolor

Maurice Lacroix launched the Aikon collection in 2016 as a reincarnation of the discontinued Calypso collection. Several important features Calypso collection were carried into the design of the Aikon line, including the flat sapphire crystal, the unique protruding lugs that join with the bracelet and the distinctive six arms that adorn the fixed bezel. However, brand’s focus has always remained on precision timekeeping with wearing comfort while offering contemporary design aesthetic inspired from the 1970s sports watches. Aikon collection is manufactured in the company’s factory in Saignelégier, located in the Swiss watchmaking Jura region.

In 2021, Maurice Lacroix introduced the Aikon Grand Date in stainless steel. The watch was shockingly bold with 45mm case diameter but visually and technically brilliant to be easily a conversation piece. An asymmetrical dial with a large date with an open-worked small seconds display, and an exposed balance wheel. In my humble opinion, the inverted in-house movement is reminiscent of the Sandro Reginelli era when he was the product manager and responsible for putting out some seriously cool designs.

Aikon Grand Date

As the summer approaches, Maurice Lacroix is introducing four vibrant colorful variations of the Aikon Grand Date in black DLC coated stainless steel. The four new colors – Electric Blue, Bright Orange, Neon Green, and Neon Yellow. While all the mechanicals remain the same as previous models, the playful bright colors transform this serious technical watch into a versatile urban sports watch. Each dial color is limited to 50 pieces.

Aikon Grand Date in Electric Blue

Aikon Grand Date in Neon Green

Aikon Grand Date in Bright Orange

Aikon Grand Date in Neon Yellow

Aikon Master Grand Date Technicolor features an off-center colorful dial with the ‘Clous de Paris’ pattern in metallic sunray finish. Each dial features black, facetted hour and minute hands, coated with Super-LumiNova. The open-worked small seconds display below the dial has a neat feature where the tip of the small seconds hand is highlighted in red for enhancing the readability.

The grand date has a complex mechanism comprising of two date discs to deliver a highly legible large-format date indication. What Maurice Lacroix got right on this date execution is matching the bright date color to the dial. With the stark black DLC coated main plate, the bright colors draw your attention instantly to focus on the time and date.

Close up to the dial with black DLC coated main plate

The watch is powered by an in-house ML331 automatic movement. It’s the same movement used in the previous models as well. The bridges and skeletonized rotor are sandblasted in black finishing. The movement beating at a slower frequency of 18,000vph (2.5 Hz) offers a dramatic visual effect of large balance wheel oscillating slowly on a black main plate next to colorful dial and big date. As a result of slower frequency, an increased power reserve of approximately 50 hours is guaranteed.

ML331 automatic movement

The watch comes with two rubber straps – one matching the bright dial color and the other one in black that matches the black DLC case. Both straps feature the name “Maurice Lacroix” in relief, emphasizing the model’s contemporary appeal.

All watches come in a special packaging exclusive to the Technicolor model. Each watch box is made from #tide, a composite material made from upcycled ocean plastic. 34 bottles are recycled to produce a presentation box, which means that they no longer pollute the ocean. The color of each box corresponds to the color of the dial.

Aikon Grand Date in Electric Blue

Tech Specs

Maurice Lacroi x Aikon Grand Date Technicolor

Case: 45mm x 15mm, stainless steel, sandblasted with black DLC coating, water resistant to 10 meters
Dial: Embossed, sunburst in blue, orange, green or yellow, large date, black indices with white Super-LumiNova
Movement: Self-winding caliber ML 331, frequency 18,000 vph (2.5 Hz), power reserve 50 hours
Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, big date
Strap: Rubber strap in blue, orange, green or yellow with easy-change system, and a second rubber strap in black, sandblasted pin buckle with black DLC coating
Price: USD 9,650
Availability: Limited to 50 pieces in each color

Brands:
Maurice Lacroix

Tags:
2023 Novelties

Tech Specs

Maurice Lacroi x Aikon Grand Date Technicolor

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