Introducing the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date Technicolour Watches
Wednesday - 26 April 2023
Maurice Lacroix’s fun take on the functional Master Grand Date design
Blasting the Master Grand Date with a fully loaded colour palette, Maurice Lacroix has gone all out with this new iteration from the sporty Aikon line. The Master Grand Date has been described by the Jura-based watchmaker as a series that perfectly balances “harmony and innovation”. The models are a mix between the Masterpiece collection and the Aikon line, which itself is inspired by the Calypso. They feature bold profiles and off-centre dials, an exposed balance wheel and a big date complication. The bezels have the instantly recognisable arms positioned in six locations as seen in the Aikon watch series, as well as a polished and matte case made from stainless steel. Inside the Maurice Lacroix watches from the Aikon Master Grand Date family is the Calibre ML331 – a fairly new engine that is chosen for its beautiful balance wheel put on show through the dial side of each watch.
The new vividly coloured Aikon Master Grand Date Technicolour watches are limited to 50 pieces each and make for a great addition to join any collector’s prize assortment of luxury watches since they are all mechanically driven, robustly made, and promise to stand the test of time on the wrist. The rugged, sporty case of the Aikon watch is brought to life by blue, green, yellow and orange straps that match the key details of their matte black dials. The off-centred dial layout and the exposed movement parts of each watch are all perfectly balanced for these new sporty wristwatches – each one treated in a black coating to enhance a contemporary and masculine feel.
The case and movement
The case of each of these new Aikon Master Grand Date watches from Maurice Lacroix measures a broad 45mm diameter and looks similar to the Master Gravity watch released back in 2021. The Master Grand Date itself launched in the same year, powered by an in-house movement and representing yet another guise to the Aikon line. It joined chronographs, simple three-handed models, skeletonised chronographs and more complex models like the Aikon Mercury. When the Master Grand date unveiled itself a couple of year ago, it was clad in an equally vibrant outfit but with a carbon fibre case. These four new Aikon Master Grand Date Technicolour watches are crafted from stainless steel and are finished with a black DLC coating that matches the tone of the vast black dial. Each of the models is 100-meter water resistant and topped with a strong piece of scratch-resistant and anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass. The six claws or arms located around the matching black bezel are polished to add a touch of textural contrast to the design.
Exposed through the dial of each Aikon Master Grand Date Technicolour watch is a section between the 6 and 9 o’clock location that exposes the balance wheel of the Calibre ML331. The automatic movement floats between the sapphire crystal glass caseback and the front glass revealing the watch’s regulating system. Its background is intermittently obscured by a brushed and snailed rotor. It also features the 10 o’clock Grand Date feature that reveals itself through a double window. Finally, the small seconds sub-dial is also open-worked to reveal elements of the Calibre ML331. The movement performs at a rate of 18,000 vibrations per hour and delivers a power reserve of 50 hours.
The dial
The matte black dial of each Master Grand Date Technicolour watch hosts a large off-centre main timekeeping dial in yellow, green, orange or blue. The hour markers here are treated with a touch of luminescent material, as are the central hour and minute hands, and feature an overlapping small second sub-dial in a matching coloured scale. To the left of the dial is where you can appreciate the beautiful elements of the movement. These include a sun-brushed black DLC-coated balance bridge, a vertical brushed and black DLC grained dial plate, and other DLC sandblasted finishes. The movement also features a skeletonised oscillating weight with brushed and snailed effects.
The straps
The new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date Technicolour watches are supplied with two straps each – one to match the colour of their dial and one to complement the black case. Whether you choose to style the watch on its coloured rubber band or its more conventional black rubber strap – both versions are embossed with the Maurice Lacroix name.
Continuing its commitment to a more environmentally friendly approach to watchmaking, the presentation box of each special limited edition watch is crafted from a composite material made from ocean-bound upcycled plastic, which the brand refers to as #tide. To make just one presentation box, a total of 34 plastic models are required - each one extracted from the ocean in an effort to clean up the seas. Each box matches the colour of the watch.
Served with a dose of fun, the appeal of these new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grand Date Technicolour watches is undeniable. If you’d like to learn more, you can check the details of the new models out here online, or call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453
