Introducing the new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Ventura Bronze 43 watch

The new member of the Aikon Ventura watch series features a new anthracite dial colour surrounded by a character-building bronze case for daring underwater exploration.

Undoubtedly, it is the functionality and robustness of the Maurice Lacroix Aikon watch, coupled with an affordable price tag that has made it such a versatile and much-loved collectable. So, it comes as no surprise that at the Watches & Wonder 2021 event this year, Maurice Lacroix reveals the new Aikon Ventura Bronze 43 watch. At first, the Aikon watch was available only in quartz when it launched in 2016 but within two years had been equipped with an automatic, was offered in a choice of a three-handed model or a chronograph and came clad in a bronze version also. A bolder and sportier version of this trusty model was, of course, the Aikon Ventura, which now comes armoured in a bronze casing too. As with all Maurice Lacroix Aikon Ventura watches, the model encompasses some of the Aikon’s design language but it also takes on a bolder, more dynamic and robust character. Maurice Lacroix acknowledges these qualities as the perfect ideals for urban adventure.

Just as many other leading luxury watch brands have done with their flagship sports watch designs, Maurice Lacroix has built-upon, modified and extended the design of the Aikon to give it a more assured, masculine and confident persona. The Aikon Ventura demonstrates the evolution of the Aikon watch perfectly. Its unique profile and shape comprise several brushed and polished surfaces to the case, a tonneau-shaped profile and a raised circular bezel. Developed with diving and adventure in mind, the Aikon Ventura watch has a larger, thicker and bolder physique, receiving new dials and materials earlier last year with a striking bronze case and sunray-brushed green dial. Now the new Aikon Ventura watch is presented in an urban anthracite colour and carries many of the characteristics belonging to the series that makes for such a stylish luxury sports watch.

Case:

Relying on the base design of the Aikon, the Ventura has been reinforced in terms of style and spec. Its tonneau-shaped case measures a 43mm diameter and has been brushed but boasts polished accents on the bezel. A solid crown guard module has been integrated into the side of the case and the unidirectionally rotating bezel with a 60-minute scale has been highly raised, with an easy-grip design to facilitate whilst wearing wet diving gloves. As part of the 10-minute graduations, the six arms that distinguish the Maurice Lacroix Aikon’s bezel are still present in the new Ventura Bronze watch. The case is also integrated with 300-meter water resistance, making it suitable for most water-related sports and activities, whereas the addition of a bronze case to the collection last year saw the brand play with a colour scheme of bronze and brown ceramic for its bezel - the new Ventura Bronze 43 watch boasts a bronze bezel with a shiny black ceramic insert that contrasts against the anthracite colour of its dial.

Over the years the demand for bronze cases (especially in the dive watch category) has never really slowed. The material has the ability to patinize over time, creating its own identity and telling a story of its own as it ages on the wrist of the wearer. This quality has long been admired by serious watch collectors, and in recent years the industry has seen a surge in demand for it. To overcome the bronze patina making contact with the skin, the caseback of the Aikon Ventura Bronze 43 watch is kitted out in stainless steel. Bronze is also remarkably corrosion and sea-salt-resistant, offering an instant vintage feel that grows and develops as does the watch’s relationship with the wearer. The front of the new Aikon Ventura Bronze 43 is equipped with an anti-reflective lens crafted from sapphire crystal glass that protects the surface of the dial from dust, denting, heat, moisture and light damage.

Dial

With a sunray-brushed effect, the anthracite shade of the new Maurice Lacroix Aikon watch is certainly geared to pair well with all attire. The central hour and minute hands have been coated with Super-LumiNova which makes reading the time or measuring remaining time underwater a complete synch in dark conditions. The central second hand is crafted into the lollipop design and the baton hour markers are once again luminous coated. Also designed with visibility in mind is the date aperture located at 3 o’clock, which imparts information easily against a white background. The Maurice Lacroix lettering, brand logo and “Automatic 30 ATM” lettering is also executed in bronze in this new model.

The movement

Although flirting with bronze in a unique way, the mechanics of the new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Ventura Bronze 43 watch remain the same. The model is powered by the ML115, which is based on the Sellita SW200-1. It provides a 38-hour power reserve and oscillates 28,800 times in an hour. Equipped with hours, minutes, seconds and a date function, the movement is a faultless engine that delivers straightforward timekeeping accurately and constantly.

The strap

Maurice Lacroix equips the new Aikon Ventura Bronze watch with two straps - a black rubber band and an anthracite calfskin leather strap. Both bands are easy to change since they both come integrated with the EasyChange System. Adding value to the watch, the strap changing facility is so easy to use and eradicates the need to make a trip to the local jewellers or a Maurice Lacroix supplier to have it swapped over. The push pins are used to switch the straps over without the requirement of any tools. The leather strap is finished with off-white contrast stitching down the sides of the band and both straps feature a bronze Maurice Lacroix motif.

The new Maurice Lacroix Aikon Ventura Bronze 43 is limited to just 500 pieces worldwide. To secure one of these numbers for yourself you can call and register your interest with our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453

Technical Specifications of the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Ventura Bronze 43 watch:

• Reference: AI6058-BRZ0B-330-2
• Case: Diameter: 43mm – height: 12mm – bronze with brushed and polished finishes – stainless steel caseback – 300-meter water resistance – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – screw-in crown with crown protecting guard – bronze unidirectional rotating bezel with black ceramic inserts
• Dial: Anthracite – sunray-brushed – bronze hands and baton indexes with Super-LumiNova – lollipop second hand – date aperture at 3 o’clock – lettering and brand logo in bronze
• Movement: Automatic ML115 – based on the Sellita SW200-1 – 38-hour power reserve – 28,800 v.p.h – central hours, minutes, seconds and date – 26 jewels
• Strap: Anthracite leather band and black rubber strap – bronze Maurice Lacroix logo – EasyChange strap system requiring now tools
• Price: £2,390