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Only Watch 2021
On the heels of the release of the Aikon Master Grande Date, Maurice Lacroix offers this model as the base for its submission to Only Watch 2021.
Only Watch is the biennial charity auction of one-off luxury timepieces for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy thanks to donations from brands. Often, these brands create custom versions of a popular model, swapping in new materials and colors to make it unique for the auction.
The Aikon Master Grande Date Only Watch 2021 is just such a piece. It builds on the brand’s relationship with Mahindra Racing and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship.
The case is made of carbon fiber previously used in a Mahindra Racing car, and Caliber ML331 has been given a black DLC coating to match. The dial is now a bright orange (to match the Only Watch corporate color of 2021) and has black date disks and a black bezel with orange numbers to highlight the large date indication.
This is the first time Maurice Lacroix has made a version of the Aikon in carbon fiber, and it really takes the aesthetic in a vastly different direction compared to the more typical stainless steel sports watch.
This one-off watch comes with two textile straps, one in black and another in orange, and the winning bidder will be invited to a 2022 round of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championships, adding a second layer to the uniqueness of Maurice Lacroix’s Only Watch offering.
It would seem that the Aikon Master Grande Date is a turning point for the collection and could represent a second tier of complications for the Aikon line. It’s already featured a chronograph, so moving into astronomical complications or perhaps a full calendar would be a fantastic next step.
With the steel sports watch category full of competition, working hard to create expanded options at both ends of its range would work well in helping secure a spot for Maurice Lacroix. If the Aikon Master Grande Date is any indication, Maurice Lacroix might be thinking the same thing.
The future might be interesting for the Aikon Master Grande Date, but while we wait to see let’s break this down!
- Wowza Factor * 7.8 The Aikon flew under the radar for me for a while but no longer thanks to the Master Grande Date!
- Late Night Lust Appeal * 78» 764.919m/s2 Solid entries into the sports watch game are always welcome, and ones that add features like the Master Grande Date can keep me lusting for hours!
- M.G.R. * 61.5 The high-quality finishing and exposed mechanics are already awesome, but the newly developed large date mechanism takes it a step further!
- Added-Functionitis * Mild The coolness of the date mechanism aside, the Master Grande Date only adds one feature so you will only need children’s strength the Gotta-HAVE-That cream for this piece!
- Ouch Outline * 7.5 Dozens and dozens of mosquito bites! Summertime in the wet areas of Florida can be very fun, but also very buggy. On a recent camping trip I learned this harsh truth and came home itching something fierce. Still, I would do it again if it meant getting this watch on my wrist!
- Mermaid Moment * Let’s see that date mechanism again! I liked the Master Grande Date when I first saw it, but after seeing the behind-the-scenes details of the date mechanism I knew I needed to start auditioning DJs for the reception!
- Awesome Total * 725 Start with the diameter of the case in millimeters (45) and multiply by the thickness of the case in millimeters (15), then add the power reserve in hours (50) to land on a rather awesome total!
For more information, please visit mauricelacroix.com/us_en/news/aikon-master-grand-date.
Quick Facts Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grande Date
Case: 45 x 15 mm, stainless steel
Movement: automatic Caliber ML331, 50-hour power reserve, 18,000 vph/2.5 Hz frequency
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; date
Price: CHF 8,900
This story was originally posted on August 1, 2021 at Maurice Lacroix Aikon Master Grande Date: A Serious Player In The Steel Sports Watch Market.
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