Maurice Lacroix Releases AIKON Time-and-Date and Chronograph Variants in Titanium
At Geneva Watch Days 2024, Maurice Lacroix has unveiled the new timepieces added to its AIKON Automatic and AIKON Automatic Chronograph collections, all crafted from Grade 2 and Grade 5 titanium. While Grade 2 titanium is known for balanced strength and corrosion resistance, Grade 5 is celebrated for its outstanding strength, and heat and corrosion resistance. According to the American Society for Testing and Materials, Grade 5 titanium is the most common and versatile of titanium alloys. It consists of 90% titanium, 6% aluminium, and 4% vanadium.
AIKON Automatic 42 Titanium
These new 42 mm AIKON variants come in shaped cases, each with a fixed bezel and six signature claws. Both the purple-dial model (Ref. AI6008-TT032-430-1) and the variant with a grey dial (Ref. AI6008-TT032-230-1) feature Clous de Paris dial motif, rhodium-plated faceted hour and minute hands, a liberal application of Super-LumiNova, a rhodium-plated central seconds hand, a square date indication with a white background and black numeral, and hour markers with rhodium plating.
The AIKON arms that straddle the bezel are highly polished and have a gleaming finish that is only achievable with Grade 5 titanium. This collection is made from both Grade 2 and Grade 5 titanium. Powering the watch is Calibre ML115, which is based on Sellita SW200-1, delivering a 38-hour power reserve. Turning each watch over showcases the sapphire caseback with an oscillating weight. Both models are finished on titanium bracelets.
AIKON Automatic Titanium Chronograph
The AIKON Automatic Chronograph Titanium is slightly bigger than its time-and-date cousin. This model has the signature six claws on the bezel. Each chronograph has two pushers at 2 o’clock and 4 o’clock, and a crown at 3 o’clock. There are two dial options in purple (Ref. AI6038-TT032-430-1) and gold (Ref. AI6038-TT032-530-1), each with a lattice-like motif. Each dial also features a day-date display at 3 o’clock, and dark grey counters for a 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock, and a seconds counter at 9 o’clock with spiral finishings.
Like the Automatic 42 Titanium models mentioned above, rhodium plating can be found on all three hands as well as on the hour markers. Powering the watches is Calibre ML112; this movement is based on ETA/Valjoux 7750 and has a 48-hour power reserve. The sapphire open caseback has an oscillating weight and an ML logo. What’s more, the rhodium-plated movement sports Perlage and Colimaçon; Côtes de Genève can be spotted on the rotor.