Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Maurice Lacroix Joins the Ceramic Club with its Aikon Automatic 39mm and 42mm
A souped-up version of ceramic, Maurice Lacroix introduces ‘technical ceramic’ in matte black and glossy white Aikon models.
The Aikon collection was a sequel to Maurice Lacroix’s best-selling, sporty Calypso line from the 1990s. Following the launch of the first model with a quartz-powered movement in 2016, the Aikon upgraded its offer with mechanical movements in 2018. Moving beyond traditional stainless steel cases, the Aikon has appeared with bronze, PVD, titanium, and even cases made from recycled PET bottles. The latest material to join the family is ‘technical ceramic’, a higher-performing take on regular ceramic obtained by doping zirconium oxide with additional oxides. Debuting on a 42mm matte black ceramic model and a 39mm glossy white reference, the new technical ceramic watches align with Maurice Lacroix’s commitment to affordable luxury.
Designed to capture the consecrated design codes of luxury sports watches, the Aikon has a 200m water-resistant tonneau-shaped case, a raised bezel with six claws, a textured dial, an integrated and interchangeable steel bracelet and an automatic movement. Available with time-and-date, chronograph and big-date functions and skeletonised references, the Aikon comes in various sizes to cater to all wrist sizes.
After three years of R&D, Maurice Lacroix claims that while its ‘technical ceramic’ shares its corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic properties with conventional ceramic, it has been doped to improve its durability, thermal stability and overall strength. By adding three additional oxides – hafnium, yttrium and aluminium – to the zirconium oxide, you get technical ceramic, a souped-up scratch-resistant material that will never fade over time.
The model selected for the technical ceramic makeover is the time-and-date in 39 and 42mm case sizes, both with a very reasonable thickness of 11mm. Producing the cases and integrated bracelets posed many technical challenges. Recreating the raised claws gripping the bezel and the individual links of the bracelet was tricky, as was the time invested in ensuring that all the surfaces and facets of the case and bracelet were smooth and perfectly finished.
The stealthy 42mm sandblasted black ceramic model has a sleek matte presence, continuing with the black dial with its embossed Clous de Paris pattern. The slim elongated indices are applied to the dial and the hands have a strip of white Super-LumiNova. The date window has a black background with white numerals that match the inscriptions on the dial. Unlike other editions of the time-and-date, the truncated double indices at 3 o’clock have been removed, leaving all the space for the date window. In contrast, the 39mm white technical ceramic model is polished throughout, producing a more shiny, glossy effect. The white lacquered Clous de Paris dial has rhodium-plated indices and hands, also treated with white SLN and a white background for the date window.
Both ceramic Aikons feature the collection’s five-link articulated bracelet and the brand’s foolproof Easy Strap Exchange system. The steel caseback has a sapphire crystal revealing the ML115 automatic calibre based on a Sellita SW200. Beating at 28,800vph with a modest 38-hour power reserve, the movement is a reliable workhorse and helps maintain prices in check.
The new Aikon technical ceramic models join the regular collection and retail for CHF 2,990 / EUR 3,100, a very attractive price for a very attractive full-ceramic model.
For more information, please consult MauriceLacroix.com.
2 responses
The black ceramic looks fantastic, so why 42 mm only? Basically self sabotage
Yeah, give me the option of a 39 black and I’d have a much harder time saying no. In ceramic, white is VERY white…flashy. Maybe not “blingy” but in that style, of “look at me, look at me!” Black 39 would be incredibly versatile IMO.