New Editions of the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Skeleton 39mm and 42mm

Maurice Lacroix has long been known for its take on accessible luxury, offering nice horological content at decent prices. Back in 2018, ML presented the Aikon Automatic collection, a wide range of models that answered the growing demand for elegant sports watches with integrated bracelets – by using the 1990s Calypso design and remodelling it, the brand was capable of creating a commercial hit. In 2022, the model evolved once more with the launch of the Aikon Automatic Skeleton 39mm, a fairly compact model with a movement co-developed with Sellita and using a monochromatic grey scheme. Maurice Lacroix takes pride in listening to customer feedback and now expands the collection with more sizes and colours. 

Back in 2022, the classic Aikon Automatic, which was mostly known in a closed dial form, with a stamped clous de Paris pattern – a classic of the elegant sports watch category, which can hardly go wrong – changed style and became bolder, an openworked movement positioned beneath a clear sapphire dial, housed in a 39mm steel case. Just to get the facts right, this was not the first time the Aikon featured an openworked movement, as in 2018 already, ML presented this edition, but housed in an oversized 45mm case, with a more complex movement and a price tag to match. The 39mm Aikon Automatic Skeleton was, however, simpler and more accessible, but still sophisticated design-wise.

“We heard you” claims Maurice Lacroix, stating that retailers and customers said they appreciated the styling of the 2022 release but fancied a splash of colour and possibly a slightly larger, more masculine alternative too. So here we are, with 3 new editions of the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Skeleton; a new blue dial for the 39mm model, and a new 42mm version available either in monochromatic grey or in Maurice Lacroix Blue.

Some things don’t necessarily have to change, though. The basics are identical to what we’ve come to know with the Aikon since its initial release in 2016 (as a quartz model) or in 2018 (in mechanical versions). It starts with the case, which measures either 39mm or 42mm, with a decent thickness of 11mm in both instances. While playing on the vibe of the elegant sports watch, the Aikon remains rather robust, with a 200m water-resistance, thanks to a screw-down crown and a sapphire back secured by 8 screws. The barrel-shaped middle case is topped by a circular, raised bezel with 6 double arms (reminiscent of the 1990s Calypso) and a flat sapphire crystal. Most surfaces are brushed, with nice polished bevels all around.

The main attraction of the Aikon Automatic Skeleton is the dial, or actually its absence of a dial. The sapphire plate, on which faceted baton hour markers have been applied together with the ML logo (only for the 39mm), reveals the movement underneath. These rhodium-plated elements, together with the hands, are partially coated with Super-LumiNova. The main plate has been opened, being a movement co-developed with Sellita on the base of the SW200, but according to the specifications required by ML. The rounded cutouts reveal most technical elements underneath – opened barrel, wheels and regulating organ – and there’s now the option of a blue background in addition to the classic grey theme – again, both colours are available either in 39mm or 42mm. The plates and bridges are done with alternating matte and brushed surfaces, to enhance their shapes. A thin inner flange includes the minute track.

As said, power comes from a fairly standard base movement – the SW200, a clone of the ETA 2824 – done by Swiss movement maker Sellita, which designed this calibre ML135 at the request of Maurice Lacroix with custom bridges and a custom openworked rotor. This special edition of the ML115 calibre retains the same specifications as standard versions, meaning 26 jewels, 4Hz frequency and 38h power reserve.

A classic for the Aikon collection, these 39mm and 42mm Automatic Skeleton models are delivered standard with an integrated 5-link stainless steel bracelet, closed by a folding clasp and finished in the same way as the case – brushed surfaces, polished bevels. As always, it is equipped with the ML Easy Strap Exchange system, allowing you to swap the bracelet for an alternative rubber or leather strap, with just a few user-friendly clicks (note: a look at the brand’s website states that online orders will receive an additional rubber strap for free until February 17th…)

Now available from the brand’s online boutique and retails, and part of the permanent collection, all 3 new references of the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Skeleton (39mm and 42mm) are priced at EUR 3,600, CHF 3,450 or USD 3,950. For more details, please visit MauriceLacroix.com.