Since its debut in 2016, Maurice Lacroix’s Aikon line has swiftly grown to develop into some of the enticing reasonably priced choices within the white-hot built-in bracelet sports activities watch class. As the road has developed, the model has spent a big effort in differentiating the fundamental design into one thing with its personal distinctive character to face out in a sea of comparable ideas. Its newest try on this course is without doubt one of the most placing: the Aikon Chronograph Skeleton. Past merely including a skeletonized dial to an present mannequin, Maurice Lacroix has altered the general proportions of the Aikon to create one thing with its personal distinctive and placing character.
This new character begins with the 44mm chrome steel case of the Aikon Chronograph Skeleton. A lot of the fundamental structure, together with the sharp, angular important case physique with its distinguished chamfer, is carried over from earlier Aikon fashions, however the bezel has been restyled to present it some welcome new proportions. With the intention to give the widest doable view of the brand new skeleton dial, the bezel is narrower, whereas the Aikon’s six signature claw-like arms now partially hold over the crystal. On paper, the adjustment is slight, however this transformation noticeably impacts the visible profile of the watch, making the entire package deal really feel but extra trendy and aggressive. Impressively for a watch with this a lot sapphire crystal on show, Maurice Lacroix has managed to keep up a 200-meter water resistance for this case.
As a skeleton design, it’s kind of anticipated that the dial of the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Chronograph Skeleton performs with visible depth in a roundabout way. What’s not anticipated, nevertheless, is how nicely these layers of depth circulation collectively. Skeleton dials can typically be technically spectacular however visually chaotic, with little semblance of order or legibility remaining from the bottom mannequin. The Aikon Chronograph Skeleton sidesteps this downside courtesy of its two topmost layers — an utilized chapter ring in bead-blasted metal that connects to chronograph subdial rings at three and 9 o’clock, and a trick sapphire important dial with printed seconds indices and an utilized brand at 12 o’clock. This permits the indices and subdials to visually float above the skeletonized motion itself whereas making a delicate visible barrier, orienting the parts for simpler studying on the fly. This sapphire dial is, at occasions, utterly invisible, whereas at different occasions it displays mild again on the wearer — each are captured on our stay photos of this piece from the Inhorgenta Honest in Munich.
Under that sapphire layer, the skeletonized latticework of the motion receives a PVD therapy, which additional aids legibility by distinction. Moreover, making this framework darkish emphasizes the depth within the design, whereas additionally permitting the visible highlights of the motion just like the steadiness wheel and mainspring to face out sharply. With a lot else happening, Maurice Lacroix correctly opts to maintain the handset easy and pared again to keep away from muddle. Nonetheless, the blued chronograph seconds hand provides a punch of colour to an in any other case monochrome look whereas making studying the chronograph a lot easier at a look.
The motion powering the Aikon Chronograph Skeleton is Maurice Lacroix’s unique ML206 automated chronograph powerplant. Designed along with Concepto and first showing within the Masterpiece Chronograph Skeleton in 2016, the ML206 has its primary structure present resemblance with the extremely in style 7750, however one needn’t look twice to see simply how far the ML206 is out of your customary 7750.
Maurice Lacroix mounts the Aikon Chronograph Skeleton on a calfskin-lined black material strap with white distinction stitching, together with the model’s signature utilized emblem. It’s a suitably sporty and modernist companion for the watch, and whereas it’s uniquely formed to evolve to the Aikon’s built-in lug design, the strap additionally features a quick-release function for straightforward swapping. The fast launch is a superb idea in principle, however the truth that the Aikon line is an built-in design implies that whereas altering straps is perhaps straightforward, discovering one other strap or bracelet to suit is nigh on not possible.
Taken as an entire, the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Chronograph Skeleton advances what’s nice in regards to the Aikon line (sharp and complex ending, luxe design, and high quality that punches nicely above its value level) and amplifies it, all whereas creating a brand new and visually distinct identification for the road that diversifies it away from a number of the heavy hitters it’s been typically accused of aping. Like the remainder of the Aikon line, there’s stable worth for cash right here as nicely, at an MSRP of $7,028 for an built-in bracelet, skeletonized sports activities chronograph with an in-house motion. For extra info, please go to Maurice Lacroix’s web site.
