The Swiss watchmaker presents two new versions of one of its best sellers, the Aikon, in a 42 mm black ceramic or 39 mm white ceramic case.
Maurice Lacroix presents two new Aikons, with ceramic case and bracelet, available in white (39 mm case) or black (42 mm case). Both specimens are 11 mm thick. The result of three years of research and development, these two new models offer excellent value for money. Maurice Lacroix also chose technical ceramics, a material that elevates the performance of traditional ceramics combining zirconium oxide with several oxides. This type of ceramic is highly scratch-resistant and does not discolour over the years.
Like traditional ceramics, technical ceramic is corrosion-resistant and hypoallergenic, and also represents a major step forward in terms of durability, thermal stability and robustness. This technically advanced material involves combining zirconium oxide with three other oxides: hafnium oxide, yttrium oxide and aluminium oxide.
The Maurice Lacroix research and development department therefore invested a lot of time and energy to ensure that all surfaces and facets of the case and bracelet were of high quality. For example, the bezel with its riders, characterised by a raised effect and contrasting finish, proved technically complex.
Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Ceramic: in white or black
The model in white uses a 39 mm case, the one in black a 42 mm case.
The first Aikon was presented by Maurice Lacroix in 2016. This timepiece draws inspiration from the Calypso, a best-selling watch produced by the House in the 1990s. In 2018, the brand launched mechanical versions of the Aikon, like the ones visible here, which are driven by the ML115 calibre (Sellita-based).
This gauge, which guarantees a 38-hour power reserve and whose balance oscillates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, is visible from the back side. With colimaçon and circular-grained bridges, it employs a customised, skeletonised rotor. Both the glass protecting the dial and the one on the back are anti-reflective sapphire crystals. The dial, matching the ceramic colour of the case and bracelet, has a clous de Paris pattern, while the hands and hour markers are SuperLuminova luminescent. At 3 o'clock is the date window. The clasp on the aforementioned bracelet is double folding, with safety push-buttons. Finally, water resistance is guaranteed up to 20 atmospheres.
Prices3,100 euros (Aikon Automatic Ceramic 42 mm); 3,100 euros (Aikon Automatic Ceramic 39 mm).
