In the watch industry, a company that produces a large part of the most important components of a mechanical watch in its own workshops is considered a Manufacture. After Maurice Lacroix presented in April 2006, during BASELWORLD, its unique chronograph ML 106 calibre in the Masterpiece Le Chronographe, the first movement completely designed and developed in-house, the watch brand has now taken its place in the exclusive club of Swiss Manufacture brands with its own production of components for mechanical watch movements.

Since the beginning of October, workshops for the manufacture of highly complex watch movement components are being set up under the name La Manufacture des Franches-Montagnes SA in Montfaucon, very close to the Maurice Lacroix watch atelier at Saignelégier in Switzerland’s Jura Mountains. The production based on the latest CNC technology is primarily intended to encompass low-volume individual parts with high added value, which underscores Maurice Lacroix’ creative drive to differentiate its timepieces down to the smallest detail. Maurice Lacroix will continue to nurture its co-operation with external suppliers, but the in-house manufacture makes it possible for the brand to act independently in times of greater demand and to control better the production process of complex mechanical watches. Through this, it is possible to accelerate and manage flexibly the development and assembly processes.

With the establishment of the Manufacture des Franches-Montagnes SA, Maurice Lacroix completes the last logical step in the development of the company during the last five years. During this period, the watch brand has focused increasingly on the development of innovative additional functions and complicated mechanical movements. The first Maurice Lacroix calibres containing components of its own manufacture shall be presented in 2007.

Maurice Lacroix
Maurice Lacroix is one of the few independent Swiss watch manufacturers and one of the most successful brands of the watch industry, both nationally and internationally. Since 1975, Maurice Lacroix watches have been manufactured in the company’s own state-of-the-art workshops in Saignelégier (Switzerland). Today, timepieces by Maurice Lacroix are available from around 3,700 selected retailers in more than 60 countries. In spite of rapid changes within the company during the last 30 years, one thing has always remained the same: an awareness of a long watchmaking tradition, skilled craftsmanship and passion, as well as a love for design, perfection, and exclusive materials.

Source: Maurice Lacroix

See Europa Star Magazine 6/2006 for a more detailed look at Maurice Lacroix.

www.mauricelacroix.com

Contact: [email protected]

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