Aikonic Automatic

Maurice Lacroix AIKONIC

A familial likeness but unquestionably different

In 2016, Maurice Lacroix released the AIKON, an urban watch that ultimately became the company’s best-selling collection. Now, the brand from the Franches Montagnes has created a new range of models, sharing a familial likeness to the 1996 release, while being unquestionably different. The AIKONIC collection perpetuates the urban theme, incorporating some recognisable elements while embracing cutting-edge materials and technology. A product of the Swiss Jura, the new collection has been skilfully crafted at the company’s Saignelégier Manufacture and incorporates some locally sourced components. Upholding Maurice Lacroix tradition, the AIKONIC collection, once again, delivers accessible excellence.

AIKONIC - the ultimate expression of AIKON ownership

Following the success of the AIKON, Maurice Lacroix’s box office sensation, the Maison has created the AIKONIC, the ultimate expression of AIKON ownership. While sharing a familial likeness with the AIKON, this new collection embraces innovative ideas, employs new materials, includes patented know-how and incorporates a new, highly specified movement, the ML1000 Calibre. Designed from the outset to be ultra-contemporary, the AIKONIC showcases Swiss craftsmanship and provides a characterful taste of the Swiss Jura; the place Maurice Lacroix calls home. 

The new AIKONIC is unquestionably urban, an environment Maurice Lacroix knows well, but it’s also versatile, ideally suited to all occasions. In a world preoccupied with conspicuous consumption, the AIKONIC collection sidesteps such superficiality with honest watchmaking. Indeed, the AIKONIC timepieces are packed with intrinsic value, considered design and Swiss quality, delivering a high quotient of accessible excellence.

A unique dial with a local flavour

Luminescent hour and minute hands rotate above a distinctive carbon dial and collaborate with crisp hour markers to express meaning. Unlike some carbon structures which are formed of interwoven carbon fibre strands, arranged to create patterned weaves, the AIKONIC’s carbon dial is unidirectional, incorporating numerous fibres running north to south, appearing as grey and black lines. As part of the dial making process, the arrangement of carbon fibres will always be slightly different, culminating in each dial having its own unique character. Normally, carbon dials are the preserve of Haute Horlogerie; however, Maurice Lacroix has democratised this form of display.

When creating the carbon dial for the AIKONIC, Maurice Lacroix looked beyond watchmaking and chose to collaborate with a specialist firm based approximately 40 km from Saignelégier, serving to reinforce the Maison’s desire to create products with a distinctive local flavour.

Close attention to detail

On seeing the AIKONIC for the first time, Maurice Lacroix devotees will immediately recognise the six, double-width arms gracing the bezel, a detail first found on the inaugural AIKON. These arms not only feature on the new AIKONIC’s bezel but have also influenced the design of the hour and minute hands, hour markers and crown. The crown also features a tactile grip, granting ease of manipulation and, together with the bezel, is formed of matt ceramic, a scratchproof material that won’t fade with the onset of years. The ceramic is available in a variety of hues, allowing the wearer to express their own style.

The steel case, measuring 43 mm in diameter, juxtaposes vertical fine brushed and polished surfaces, imbuing the housing with a refined aesthetic. The strap affixes to the case with high-gleam attachments, delivering notable contrast. As the flanks of the case approach the strap, variable chamfreins (chamfers that increase in magnitude) readily engage with light, enhancing the overall appearance of the watch. The AIKONIC is supplied on a rubber strap with a fabric insert, contributing to the model’s class-leading wearer comfort.

The AIKONIC is fitted with ML Easy Change (patent pending), a feature that allows the wearer to remove the bracelet, creating an alternative look, without the need for tools and with no visible catches or levers. Where the central row of links meet the case body, they pivot, allowing the bracelet to be separated from the watch head. Refitting the bracelet simply requires the wearer to line it up and push it home until it clicks into position.

To ensure maximum readability, the sapphire crystal above the dial features an upgraded anti-reflective coating. Applied to both sides of the sapphire crystal, this treatment proffers superior light transmittance and improved resistance to salt water.

The ML1000 Calibre

Keen to create an automatic movement worthy of its new high-end model, Maurice Lacroix chose to work closely with Soprod, a movement specialist located less than 10 km from Saignelégier. The new ML1000 Calibre is endowed with a myriad of refinements, several of which are visible via the exhibition caseback. The balance bridge is secured with two screws, delivering superior stability and conferring an attractive symmetry. The oscillating mass is large, boosting reliability, and openworked, granting sight of the beautifully decorated movement. 

The finishing includes blued screws, perlage on the mainplate and Côtes de Genève on the bridges, delivering a level of refinement seldom seen at this price point. Beyond its good looks, the ML1000 Calibre provides impressive accuracy with an average daily rate of ± 4 seconds. It also has a prodigious power-reserve of 60 hours.

A few words from Stéphane Waser

Stéphane Waser, Managing Director of Maurice Lacroix, remarks, “The AIKON has been a huge success for Maurice Lacroix and hopefully this will continue for many years to come. With the AIKONIC we wanted to build on that success with a highly specified model, embracing new materials, new ideas and incorporating a high level of finishing… We also wanted to show the world what we can produce at our Saignelégier Manufacture, working with local partners. Quite simply, we create watches with a flavour of the Jura, a discernible characteristic you will recognise as soon as you place the AIKONIC on your wrist. The new AIKONIC is a watch made for those who seek a reliable companion as they journey through life in their quest for success.”