The Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic & Chronograph Now in Titanium

Maurice Lacroix entered the heavily contested luxury sports watch market quite some time ago, with the introduction of a mechanical Aikon back in 2018 already. Since then, it’s come in many colours and materials, and in different styles. From robust divers to chronographs, and from colourful summer watches to creatively complex renditions, it’s pretty much all been done. However, following consumer feedback, Maurice Lacroix is now expanding the range once more with lightweight models in both the Aikon Automatic 42 and Aikon Automatic Chronograph lines. Surprisingly, it uses titanium in both grade 2 and grade 5!

Aikon Automatic 42 Titanium

Loosely based on the Calypso from the 1990s, the Aikon comes in a shaped case with a fixed bezel and six signature claws. Several sizes and materials have been introduced in the past, but Maurice Lacroix opted for the Automatic 42 (for 42mm) to debut a sleek titanium exterior, alongside the Automatic Chronograph which we’ll get to in a bit. The case and bracelet are made of a mix of grade 2 and grade 5 titanium, providing an interesting play of contrasts in colour and finishing. The claws, for instance, are done in grade 5 titanium, which can be polished to a glossy finish, as opposed to grade 2 titanium.

Apart from the material for the case and bracelet, the only other changes are to the dial. This comes in either a vibrant purple tone or a subdued monochromatic grey. It’s finished in the typical Aikon style with a lattice-like motif, applied markers and hands with Super-LumiNova and a framed date window. Sandwiched between the dial and sapphire crystal caseback, is the Calibre ML115, based on the Sellita SW200. This delivers a power reserve of 38 hours and runs at the rate of 28,800vph. As expected, the Aikon Automatic 42 Titanium comes on an integrated grade 2 and grade 5 titanium bracelet.

Quick Facts – 42mm x 11mm – grade 2 & grade 5 titanium case – fixed bezel with claws – sapphire crystal front & back – hexagonal crown – 200m water-resistant – purple or grey dial with lattice-like motif – applied markers & hands with Super-LumiNova – framed date window – Calibre ML 115 (Sellita SW200 base) – automatic winding – 28,800vph – 38h power reserve – integrated titanium bracelet with folding buckle – CHF 2,700

Aikon Chronograph 44 Titanium

Then on to the Aikon Automatic Chronograph Titanium which is slightly bigger than its time-and-date sibling. At 44mm it’s a rather sizeable watch so dressing it in the same grade 2 and grade 5 titanium mix certainly helps in wearing comfort. Important to note is that this is not the first titanium Aikon Automatic Chronograph, but it’s the first one with a mix of titanium grades. Naturally, it falls in line with the chronograph models we’ve seen in the past, with its striking bezel and flat crystals front and back. The pushers are partially shrouded and flank a hexagonal crown. Similar to the Aikon Automatic 42 Titanium, the water resistance is rated at 200m.

In terms of dials, we get a choice of the same bold purple colour or a gleaming gold-tone, both finished with contrasting subdials and a framed day-date window. The subdials are either grey or black and given a snailed finish, for an interesting play of colours and textures. It’s powered by the automatic Calibre ML112, based on the Sellita SW500. This has a frequency of 28,800vph and a running time of 48 hours when fully wound. This too is worn on an integrated titanium bracelet (again a mix of grade 2 and grade 5).

Quick Facts – 44mm x 15mm – grade 2 & grade 5 titanium case – fixed bezel with signature claws – sapphire crystal front & back – shrouded pushers – hexagonal crown – 200m water-resistant – purple or golden dial with lattice-like motif – contrasting snailed subdials – polished hands & markers with Super-LumiNova – Calibre ML112 (Sellita SW500 base) – automatic chronograph – 28,800vph – 48h power reserve – integrated titanium bracelet with folding buckle – CHF 4,150

For more information, please visit MauriceLaxroix.com.