n 2016, Maurice Lacroix released the Aikon, an urban watch that has since become the company’s best-selling collection. Now, the brand from the Franches Montagnes has created a new range of urban watches, sharing a familial likeness with the Aikon but packed with ‘innovative craftsmanship’ or ‘IC’ as they say at the brand’s Manufacture. The new Aikonic collection incorporates cutting-edge materials and technology. A product of the Swiss Jura, the Aikonic is skilfully crafted at the company’s Saignelégier Manufacture, incorporates some locally sourced components and, consistent with brand’s ethos, delivers accessible excellence.

Building on the success of the Aikon, the new Aikonic is the ultimate expression of Aikon ownership. While sharing a familial likeness with the Aikon, this new collection incorporates ‘innovative craftsmanship’. This term, abbreviated to ‘IC’, refers to the use of new materials for the dial and case, the incorporation of a new ultra-refined movement and the introduction of the ingenious, patented ML Easy Change system.

The Aikonic features a carbon dial with a difference. Most carbon structures are formed of interwoven carbon fibre strands, arranged at angles to create patterned weaves. However, the Ainonic’s carbon dial incorporates numerous fibres running north to south in one direction and appear as grey and black lines. As part of the dial making process, the arrangement of carbon fibres will always be slightly different, resulting in each dial having its own unique appearance.

Normally, carbon dials are the preserve of Haute Horlogerie; however, Maurice Lacroix has democratised this form of display. When creating the carbon dial for the Aikonic, the brand looked beyond the watchmaking industry and collaborated with a specialist firm based approximately 40 km from Saignelégier, a decision consistent with the Maison’s desire to create watches with a distinctive local flavour.

On seeing the Aikonic for the first time, Aikon devotees will immediately recognise the six, double-width arms gracing the bezel, a detail first found on the inaugural Aikon of 2016. These arms proved a source inspiration, influencing the design of the hour and minute hands, hour markers and crown. The crown also features a tactile grip, granting ease of manipulation and, together with the bezel, is formed of matt ceramic, a scratchproof material that won’t fade with the onset of years.

The steel case juxtaposes vertical fine brushed and polished surfaces, imbuing the Aikonic with a refined aesthetic, while the strap affixes to the case with high-gleam attachments. The flanks of the case are endowed with variable chamfreins (chamfers that increase in magnitude) that readily engage with light, heightening the perception of quality. To ensure maximum dial legibility, the sapphire crystal features an upgraded anti-reflective coating. Applied to both sides of the sapphire crystal, this treatment proffers superior light transmittance and improved resistance to salt water.

Supplied on a sporty rubber strap featuring a rubber textile-look insert, the Aikonic is equipped with another example of innovative technology, namely the patented ML Easy Change. This feature allows the wearer to remove the bracelet, creating an alternative look, without the need for tools and with no visible catches or levers. Where the central row of links meet the case body, they pivot, allowing the bracelet to be separated from the watch head. Refitting the bracelet simply requires the wearer to line it up and push it home until it clicks into position.

Keen to create an automatic movement worthy of its new high-end model, Maurice Lacroix chose to work closely with Soprod, a movement specialist located less than 10 km from Saignelégier. The new ML1000 Calibre is endowed with a myriad of refinements, several of which are visible via the exhibition caseback. The balance bridge is secured with two screws, delivering superior stability and attractive symmetry. The oscillating mass is large, boosting reliability, and openworked, granting sight of the beautifully decorated movement.

The finishing includes blued screws, perlage and Côtes de Genève, providing a level of refinement seldom seen at this price point. Beyond its good looks, the ML1000 Calibre delivers impressive accuracy with an average daily rate of ± 4 seconds and has a prodigious power-reserve of 60 hours.

Stéphane Waser, Managing Director of Maurice Lacroix, remarks, “The Aikon has been a huge success for our company and hopefully this will continue for many years to come. With the AIKONIC we wanted to demonstrate our know-how by creating a watch incorporating much innovative craftsmanship along with locally sourced components. The result is a highly specified model featuring new materials, new ideas and a high level of finishing, all culminating in a watch with a distinctive flavour of the Jura that delivers accessible excellence.”

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

CASE Stainless steel brushed and polished Brushed and polished ceramic bezel (ZrO2) with sandblasted ceramic (ZrO2) claws. 3 bezel colors available: black, white or blue Stainless steel crown with ceramic (ZrO2) cover Diameter: 43.00 mm Thickness: 11.00 mm Water resistance: 10 ATM / 100 meters Open case back with sapphire glass

FUNCTIONS Hours, minutes, seconds Date at 3 o’clock

DIAL Black carbon unidirectional dial with rhodium M-logo Silver printing

INDEX Rhodium index with sandblasted central line

HANDS Rhodium facetted hour and minute hands with white SLN and central sandblasted line, rhodium second hand

MOVEMENT ML1000 automatic high precision (4 +/-4 sec per day) Power reserve: approx. 60 hours Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) 26 jewels Maurice Lacroix-decorated movement Côte de Genève and colimaçon movement with Blued screws Côte de Genève, colimaçon and sunbrushed automatic skeleton rotor

STRAP Bi-rubber strap with black or blue rubber base Black or white textured nylon imitation rubber inset with black or white stitching Rubber M-logo New ML Easy Change system