The new Maurice Lacroix 1975 Collection of Elegant Watches (Incl. Video)

Maurice Lacroix was founded in 1975 by the Desco von Schulthess watchmaking company, which produced watches for various labels and third parties before that. In just a couple of short years, the name Maurice Lacroix became so popular that a decision was made to focus solely on the newly founded brand. By 1980, all third-party activities were stopped. This year, the brand celebrates its 50th anniversary and to kick off the party, it releases the all-new, elegant Maurice Lacroix 1975 Collection. 

During the 1990s the brand’s popularity expanded even further as it showcased an ability to produce very appealing watches at sensible prices. In 2001 it became an independent company, and by 2006 the first in-house movement was presented. The brand also likes to have a little fun by presenting existing complications in a new and expressive way. Watches with square gears on the dial, floating seconds hands, dial-side mounted escapements and other of these rather cool oddities.

In recent years, the Aikon has become Maurice Lacroix’s biggest-selling collection. This accessible luxury sports watch was a redesign of the Calypso from the mid-1990s and offered something fresh and appealing right before the luxury sports watches segment exploded in popularity. Now though, with 50 years of watchmaking to look back on, Maurice Lacroix has revealed the rather handsome 1975 collection.

Referring to the birth year of the company name, the Maurice Lacroix 1975 collection adds a discerning level of flair and elegance to the portfolio. The design is rather simple, but it’s often proven simple works best Starting with the exterior, the 1975 comes in 36mm or 40mm steel cases, that top out at 10mm in height. The finish is mostly polished, which is no surprise as it’s often the case in dress watches, but some brushed contrasts have been applied for a more refined take. The profile is subtly refined with a relatively broad bezel, and a knurled crown traditionally located at 3 o’clock. The 100m water-resistance is pleasant for such a dressy watch colletion.

The dial comes in three classic but proven colours; black, blue or silver. Both the blue and silver dials have a sunray brushed finish, while the black one is solid and glossy. Classically styled dauphine hands indicate the hours and minutes, while a needle-shaped hand does the same for the seconds. The hour markers have a trapeze-like shape and are applied on the dial all around, except for where the dial gives way to the framed date. In the 36mm version, there’s no 3 o’clock marker at all, and in the 40mm one, it’s cut off. The applied log with the brand name underneath it, and the simple yet effective minute track balance everything out neatly.

While Maurice Lacroix also offers a quartz-powered series in the new 1975 collection, we focus on the mechanical ones of course. Inside the sleek exterior beats the Calibre ML 115, which is based on the Sellita SW200 automatic, an alternative to the ETA 2824, which can be seen through the caseback. This reliable and easily serviceable movement keeps things simple but does its job as it should. Beating away at a frequency of 28,800vph, it delivers a maximum running time of 38 hours. 

The Maurice Lacroix 1975 Collection offers the option between a new 5-row, brushed and polished stainless steel bracelet equipped with a folding clasp, or a colour-coordinating leather strap featuring a new Maurice Lacroix embossed logo and secured with a pin buckle. Both the bracelet and strap options come with the Maurice Lacroix Easy Strap Exchange system, allowing you to swap the bracelet or strap for an alternative with just a few user-friendly clicks.

While feeling simple and traditional, the new watches from the Maurice Lacroix 1975 Collection are well executed and offer a timeless, restrained appeal for a business life. And with prices starting at EUR 1,400 on leather strap and EUR 1,500 on steel bracelet, these watches stay true to Maurice Lacroix’s excellent price-quality ratio. For more details about the Maurice Lacroix 1975 Collection, please consult our video review at the top of this article and visit mauricelacroix.com.