Exploring the dark with the Maurice Lacroix Aikon Automatic Black

Stick in the watch industry long enough and sooner or later you’ll start to see the brands evolve. Most of the time brands change incrementally with each year’s novelties, but sometimes, like in the case of Maurice Lacroix, they come up with a collection that completely reinvents the company. And that is exactly what the Aikon collection, did when it was launched in 2016.

According to Stephan Waser, the CEO, there was just too much confusion regarding the DNA of the brand around the world. In Europe for example, they were known for their affordable quartz watches while in Asia, it was the higher end mechanical watches. So about three years ago, the Aikon became the unifying face of Maurice Lacroix. And with this new collection, they aimed to present themselves as a hip, cool brand with watches that exude a higher perceived value.

When they launched, the entire Aikon collection was fitted with quartz movements and it wasn’t until 2018 that they offered a mechanical self-winding movement with the Aikon collection. Being a self-professed watch nerd, it was this automatic collection that finally caught my eye.

The Aikon may seem new for Maurice Lacroix but it was actually inspired by a classic collection from the brand – the Calypso. In the 1980s and 90s, this was the iconic model, and today they hope that the Aikon will do the same to their reputation. Although the Aikon has been updated for modern tastes, it still retains the DNA of the Calypso, namely the six-arm bezel surrounding a flat sapphire crystal.

Last year they did a 42mm Aikon with an automatic movement and this year, launched alongside their brand new Aikon Venturer, is a very cool and masculine Aikon automatic with an all black PVD treatment.

Of course with the dark colour scheme, the watch has quite a dynamic look but what I think pushes it over the top is the Clou de Paris dial that works very well in contrast to the smooth surfaces on the rest of the watch. The black Aikon Automatic comes with a black calfskin strap, although it would have been nice to see Maurice Lacroix have the stunning Aikon bracelet in black as well. A cool thing to note is that the lugs on the 42mm Aikon will also take the straps made for the new Aikon Venturer. Imagine this watch on some blue rubber straps.

As with the other Aikon Automatics, the watch comes with the Automatic ML115 calibre movement which is based on the Sellita SW200 with 38 hours of power reserve. The watch sits really nicely on the wrist and thanks to its 11mm thickness it comes off as quite elegant as well.

Just before I finish off, for those of you out there with small wrists, the Aikon Automatic also comes in a smaller 39mm case. Unfortunately, from what I have heard you’ll have to travel down south to Singapore for this as they will not be bringing it into Malaysia.

Case: Stainless steel, black PVD
Case size: 42mm
Thickness: 11mm
Movement: Automatic ML115 based on Sellita SW200
Water Resistance: 20ATM (200m)