Restricted to 500 items, this reference AI6038-SS001-133-1 is without doubt one of the new 2019 fashions within the fairly scorching Maurice Lacroix Aikon Computerized Chronograph 44mm watch household (initially reviewed on aBlogtoWatch right here). Priced at round $three,000 USD, this is kind of on the prime of the usual assortment of Aikon fashions till you get into unique watches such because the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Manufacture Skeleton of the much more unique Aikon Mercury. With purple, white (whitish), and blue colours to differentiate it, this limited-edition Aikon (pronounced “icon”) Computerized Chronograph 44mm comes on a perforated leather-based strap with a metal deployant clasp. I did, nevertheless, determine to additionally put on it on the snug metal bracelet, which is on the market on different variations of the Aikon Computerized Chronograph and straightforward to swap on the case.
The cause the strap and bracelet are simple to swap is that, like many trendy watches now, the Aikon case is designed with proprietary quick-release bars (simply be sure you have some fingernails). Regardless that you will want to get further straps and bracelets immediately from Maurice Lacroix, for many who wish to take pleasure in this carrying expertise within the extra enticing (in my view) metallic bracelet, in addition to the better-for-sports strap, the quick-release system frees you from a fragile and consuming strap-changing undertaking with instruments.
At 44mm-wide the Aikon Computerized Chronograph (there’s a quartz chronograph model, as nicely) is about 14mm-thick and has a 50mm lug-to-lug size. The case has a flat AR-coated sapphire crystal and is waterproof to 200 meters. The crown and chronograph pushers screw down. The case is heavy however snug and actually wearable. I’d say that for a watch this dimension it has above-average consolation and all-day carrying attraction. A part of that’s in all probability due to the extremely tapered bracelet that isn’t nearly seems to be however can also be one thing which tends to make watches extra snug to put on.
The 800-pound gorilla within the room anytime you discuss a Maurice Lacroix Aikon is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. Sure, there are tons of different watches on the market impressed by the Royal Oak (which initially got here out in 1972). Even Royal Oak designer Gerald Genta went forward and copied himself just a few instances with related designs for different manufacturers. Is the Aikon impressed by the Royal Oak? Positive. Is it an actual copy? No. Is it a direct substitute for a Royal Oak? No. Does it really feel like a significantly better worth and pressure you to ask why Audemars Piguet has to cost a lot? Sure.
The least “Royal Oak-esque” a part of the Aikon is the bezel, which has much more in widespread with the now fairly obscure (however nonetheless made, apparently) Harmony Saratoga. Not like the octagonal Royal Oak case, the Aikon is spherical by the facet profile and lugs are very paying homage to Royal Oak — although it was Hublot who acquired essentially the most grief for this when that design factor confirmed up within the Huge Bang (which in any other case by no means seemed like a Royal Oak to me). In any occasion, there’s a universe on the market of Royal Oak-style watches, and Maurice Lacroix doesn’t have to justify itself for a watch of this good-looking attraction at this value degree.
The chronograph-style dial on this USA limited-edition Aikon Computerized Chronograph 44m is a type of pale champagne shade with blue subdials and subdial and chronograph palms. It’s a good-looking look and presents a pleasant little bit of shade to the in any other case extra monochromatic present Aikon Computerized Chronograph 44mm vary. Legibility is excessive, and the raised hour markers with matching palms are classically masculine and straightforward to identify — although I’ll say that, regardless that there may be luminant utilized to the hour markers and palms, the house allotted for it permits for a fairly anemic quantity of luminous paint. Raised squares on the dial as soon as once more shout to the Royal Oak with a “Mega Tapisserie-style” design that, whereas not unique in type, are however good to take a look at making for a crisply reduce dial that provides an excessive amount of texture to ever be boring, but additionally an excessive amount of conservatism to ever look misplaced.
Contained in the watch and visual by the sapphire crystal exhibition caseback is a embellished Swiss ETA Valjoux 7750 automated chronograph motion. The caseback of the Aikon Computerized Chronograph 44mm is finished nicely and provides to the high-end really feel of the product. The case total has some polished beveled edges and fairly first rate floor ending. For the cash (as is typical with the model), you get a number of consideration to element and processes utilized to the elements in Maurice Lacroix merchandise.
The place might Maurice Lacroix have improved the Aikon Computerized Chronograph? The case is definitely on the thick facet, and it’ll by no means have a look at slim as a Royal Oak Chronograph does. Maurice Lacroix may have the ability to shave a millimeter or two off the case however, in actuality, the 7750 is just a chunky motion. These on the lookout for an ultra-slim metal costume watch on a bracelet will nonetheless have to spend so much more cash. The Aikon bezel design has a welcome signature look to is so if you see it, you assume “Maurice Lacroix.” It isn’t, nevertheless, as iconic in my view because the Royal Oak’s, however for many customers, I believe the look is good-looking and combines a contemporary really feel with conventional mechanical watch sensibilities.
It’s a disgrace that Maurice Lacroix doesn’t formally provide this USA limited-edition mannequin on the matching metal bracelet. Extra so, as a restricted version (on a strap), it prices 100 Swiss Francs greater than a non-limited version (on a bracelet). Sure, it’s a extra restricted manufacturing mannequin, however with out extra clarification, I don’t see how that is routinely a extra precious product when all it has are some shade variations. A minimum of give me some story about how the palms are purple as a result of some well-known horological artisan painted them along with her favourite nail polish shade.
So long as Rolex continues to make use of screw-down pushers for the Daytona, these historic water safety mechanisms are right here to remain. I’ve to confess that I like screwing and unscrewing them as a makeshift fidgeting machine, however I discover it actually annoying to unscrew them every time I wish to truly use the chronograph. It takes a strong 5-10 seconds of unscrewing each pushers to be able to use the chronograph. I discover that type of teaches me to cease utilizing the chronograph as a result of I’m frightened about mud or water getting into the case. I actually want that watch producers would provide extra detailed details about water resistance with regards to watches. Can you utilize chronographs underwater? How deep are you able to go along with one thing unscrewed? I believe it will be helpful to speak this info and may make me really feel higher about having the pushers unscrewed on one thing just like the Aikon Computerized Chronograph watch.
What I most admire in regards to the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Computerized Chronograph is the value level to worth and magnificence ratio. After I first began stepping into watches, this $three,000 and underneath value level was precisely the place my aspirational degree was located (that I might afford from time to time). For an virtually decade-long interval, manufacturers actually didn’t provide a lot good on the $three,000 value level and compelled you to double or triple (or quadruple) your finances for a very cool chronograph you could put on every day and that appears enticing to extra than simply watch collectors. Maurice Lacroix isn’t making a watch collector’s product, however it’s fairly making an on a regular basis semi-formal males’s sport watch that watch-lovers can agree is an efficient product. Maurice Lacroix is aware of who they should fulfill to be able to persuade the majority of their prospects that they’re getting a superb watch.
Beginning value for the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Computerized Chronograph 44mm is 2,690 Swiss Francs on the strap. On the bracelet, it prices 2,850 Swiss Francs. As a restricted version of 500 items, this Maurice Lacroix Aikon Computerized Chronograph 44mm reference AI6038-SS001-133-1 has a retail value of 2,950 Swiss Francs. Be taught extra on the Maurice Lacroix web site right here.
