Borna Bosnjak
Maurice Lacroix goes more sporty and more bold with brightly coloured Aikon models in titanium.Rather than just picking one grade, the cases are a mix of finishes and both grade 2 and grade 5 titanium.Both the Automatic and Chronograph are powered by Sellita-based movements, priced at US$2,950 and US$4,600, respectively.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Time+Tide (@timetidewatches)The Maurice Lacroix Aikon has always played in the affordable segment of the integrated bracelet market, while still offering a solid option in a crowded space. This is not to say that the brand hasn’t ventured outside its usual comfort zones, whether that be within the Aikon collection or the likes of its Masterpieces, but these were more often than not special or limited editions with limited appeal. As a response to customer feedback, Maurice Lacroix is expanding the Aikon Automatic Titanium collection that does push the prices up slightly, but yet again delivers a refreshing alternative to the usual suspects. With two bold purples, and opulent gold, and a subtle silver, these Sellita-powered lightweights set themselves apart by combining two grades of titanium to further highlight their integrated bracelet designs.Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic TitaniumThe new Aikon Automatic models perhaps show the interplay of the two titanium grades best. The high-polished surfaces are executed in grade 5, while the main case and grained surfaces of the bracelet are all grade 2. Considered “commercially pure”, grade 2 titanium tends to be preferred for ease of machining and greater corrosion resistance, while grade 5 is strengthened by the addition of aluminium, and vanadium, with tiny percentages of iron and oxygen in the mix, too. Though by no means preposterous, the 42mm diameter does wear larger thanks to the integrated bracelet design, but remains slim at just 11mm while still delivering 200 metres of water resistance with a screw-down crown.While the titanium construction may be most attractive to those who want a lightweight watch, but Maurice Lacroix made sure the dials stand out too, especially with this bright purple variant. Both models sport a stamped clous de Paris dial texture, with faceted indices and simple fencepost hands, with a framed date complication at 3 o’clock. A quick personal interjection – I really like how the grey/silver Aikon Automatic plays with the muted tones of the titanium case – it’s a really stealthy look.Movement-wise, the Aikon Automatic Titanium continues the lineage of its steel siblings, using the ML115 movement, a Sellita SW200 with a custom rotor that seems to be the only modification from the base calibre. It’s a tried-and-tested performer, reliably beating at 4Hz, though slightly lagging behind some competition with its 38-hour power reserve.BrandMaurice LacroixModelAikon Automatic TitaniumReferenceAI6008-TT032-430-1AI6008-TT032-230-1Case Dimensions42mm (D) x 11mm (T)Case MaterialGrade 2 and grade 5 titaniumWater Resistance200 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialPurple or grey clous de ParisStrapIntegrated grade 2 and grade 5 titanium bracelet, butterfly claspMovementML115, Sellita SW200 base, automaticPower Reserve38 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, seconds, dateAvailabilityNowPriceUS$2,950Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Titanium ChronographA watch that will undoubtedly benefit even more from this new lightweight mix is Maurice Lacroix’s Aikon Automatic Titanium Chronograph. With a 44mm diameter and 15mm thickness, this one firmly sits in the heavyweight category, even with a mixed-grade titanium build. The case is imposing, and the protruding bezel claws and knobbly pushers and crown add to its on-wrist presence immensely.And it doesn’t get any less subtle with the dials. Featuring colourful panda combinations, you can opt for either the purple matching the 42mm Aikon, or a bright gold, both with large, stamped patterns beneath. The contrasting sub-dials feature the standard azurage/sunray brushing combination, and their colour matches the rest of the dial elements – from applied Maurice Lacroix logo to hands and indices.The Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Titanium Chronograph is powered by the ML112, a layout instantly recognisable by its 6-9-12 chrono layout with a day-date complication, derived from the ETA/Valjoux 7750. It’s unclear whether Maurice Lacroix has moved on from ETA supply and began using the Sellita SW500 clone, though the two movements, with their 25 jewels, 48-hour power reserves, and 4Hz beat rates, are pretty much identical.BrandMaurice LacroixModelAikon Automatic Titanium ChronographReferenceAI6038-TT032-530-1AI6038-TT032-430-1Case Dimensions44mm (D) x 15mm (T)Case MaterialGrade 2 and grade 5 titaniumWater Resistance200 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire front and backDialPurple with grey sub-dials, gold with black sub-dialsStrapIntegrated grade 2 and grade 5 titanium bracelet, butterfly claspMovementML112, ETA 7750 or Sellita SW500 base, automaticPower Reserve48 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, seconds, date, day, chronographAvailabilityNowPriceUS$4,600
20.09.24